What happened
On June 17, 2026, at approximately 21:40 local time, a Robinson R66 helicopter with registration LV-GUI was involved in an accident while operating out of Los Nanos Aerodrome (LADH3157) in Cipolletti, Argentina. The aircraft was conducting a non-commercial flight training operation under visual meteorological conditions during daylight hours. During the maneuvering phase of the flight, specifically on the ground, the helicopter experienced a loss of control. The incident occurred on a flat grass surface within the aerodrome boundaries. The pilot, a 55-year-old male commercial helicopter pilot, escaped from the aircraft one minute after the event and sustained no injuries. There were no fatalities or other personnel injured on board or on the ground.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) initiated a preliminary inquiry into the substantial severity accident. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control during ground maneuvers. Key data points examined included the aircraft's maintenance status, which was current with a valid airworthiness certificate, and the engine hours, which stood at 1,918.8 total hours. The flight phase was identified as maneuvering, and the location of the wreckage was confirmed to be on the aerodrome surface. The investigation reviewed the pilot's qualifications, noting he held a commercial helicopter license with no specific type rating required for this aircraft.
Findings
The primary causal factor established in the preliminary findings was a loss of control during ground maneuvers. This occurred while the helicopter was operating on a grass surface at Los Nanos Aerodrome. The incident is classified as an accident with substantial severity, though it resulted in no injuries to the pilot or any other individuals. The specific mechanical or human factors contributing to the loss of control are subject to further detailed analysis in the final report, but the preliminary data confirms the event was confined to the ground phase of the training flight.