What happened
On July 3, 2021, a Cirrus SR22, registration LV-HFU, was participating in a general aviation pleasure flight from Batán to the Ezpeleta Aerodrome in Buenos Aires province. After landing on runway 33, the aircraft began taxiing toward the apron. During this maneuver, the nose landing gear struck a drainage grate located on the runway strip, causing the gear to collapse and the engine to stop abruptly. There were no injuries to the pilot or the flight instructor on board, but the aircraft sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that following the landing, the instructor, who was seated in the right seat, took control of the aircraft to simplify ground operations. In an effort to shorten the taxi distance to the apron, the instructor steered the aircraft off the runway through an unauthorized area. Approximately 10 meters from the left side of the runway, the aircraft encountered a 6/60 cm drainage grate that was covered by grass and lacked any identifying markings.
Investigators found that this specific grate, along with others at the aerodrome, was not documented on the official aerodrome charts. Furthermore, the investigation examined the structural integrity of the drainage system in relation to the Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC) Part 154, which mandates that the design and placement of drains in runway strips must prevent damage to aircraft.
Findings
- The instructor exited the runway via an area not authorized for aircraft taxiing.
- The nose landing gear struck a drainage grate that was obscured by grass and lacked signage.
- The load-bearing capacity of the grate was insufficient, as it failed under the weight of the aircraft, violating RAAC Part 154 standards.
- The drainage grate was not reflected in the official aerodrome layout plans.