Incident Overview
On 3 July 2021 at 17:00 UTC, a Cirrus SR22 aircraft, registration LV-HFU, was involved in an accident at Ezpeleta aerodrome (Berazategui, Buenos Aires province). The aircraft had just completed a flight from Batán aerodrome (Mar del Plata) as a general aviation pleasure flight.
Sequence of Events
After landing on runway 33, the aircraft began taxiing toward the apron. During taxi, the nose landing gear struck a drainage grate located on the runway strip. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse and the engine to stop abruptly. The flight crew consisted of a pilot and an instructor. According to interview statements, following touchdown, the instructor, who was in the right seat, took control of the aircraft from the pilot in the left seat and exited the runway via the west side, an area not authorized for aircraft taxiing, in an effort to shorten the route to the apron. Approximately 10 meters from the left edge of the runway, within the runway strip, lay a 60 cm by 60 cm drainage grate covered by grass. The grate was deteriorated and lacked any identification markings.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the nose wheel of LV-HFU entered the drainage grate, causing the nose gear collapse. The grate, along with others, was not depicted on the aerodrome plan. The aerodrome’s reference code is 1B. According to the Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC) Part 154, the location and design of drains on runway strips must account for preventing damage to aircraft. The grate's cover failed under the weight of the aircraft.
Regulatory Aspects
RAAC Part 154 specifies that drains on runway strips must be designed and located to avoid damage to aircraft. The report notes that while drains may be present on the strip, their covers must be capable of supporting aircraft traffic. The deteriorated condition and lack of markings of the grate at Ezpeleta aerodrome contributed to the accident.