Accident Overview
On 17 July 2021 at approximately 18:00 UTC, a Cessna C182 B aircraft, registration LV-GXN, experienced a loss of control during the takeoff roll at Ezpeleta Aerodrome in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The aircraft departed the runway and overturned. The accident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna C182 B, privately owned and operated for general aviation pleasure flying. The pilot, a 63-year-old Argentine male, held a Private Pilot License (PPA) with a rating for single-engine land aircraft up to 5700 kg. He had obtained his PPA in 2013 and subsequently completed the theoretical course for Commercial Pilot (PCA). The pilot reported having over 300 total flight hours, although the investigation could not verify this. His Class 2 medical certificate was valid until 31 July 2021.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, he began the takeoff on runway 33 at Ezpeleta Aerodrome. During the takeoff roll, control of the aircraft was lost. The aircraft then exited the runway. The ground track covered approximately 400 meters from the start of the roll to the final stop, with the aircraft coming to rest on the left side of runway 33 at a heading of 150°. The aircraft overturned as a result.
Meteorological Conditions
The pilot reported checking a METAR from Ministro Pistarini International Airport about one hour before the flight, which indicated wind from 270° at 17 knots. The Argentine National Weather Service (SMN) provided interpolated data for Ezpeleta at 19:00 UTC: wind from 260° at 15 knots, visibility 10 km, no significant phenomena, 3/8 cumulus at 1000 ft, temperature 12.5°C, dew point 2.3°C, QNH 1016.6 hPa, relative humidity 50%. The SMN further noted that mean wind intensity was 15 knots with gusts up to around 25 knots, from the WSW quadrant (250°-260°). The interaction of the flow with obstacles perpendicular to the runway—such as hangars, buildings, trees, and distant structures—accentuated the presence of gusts and wind shear nearly perpendicular to the runway.
Investigation
The investigation included interviews with the pilot and analysis of meteorological data. No record of the pilot's flight hours was obtained. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder. The report classified the event as a Loss of Control on Ground (LOC-G) and Runway Excursion (RE).