What happened
On August 3, 2021, an experimental motorized ultralight aircraft, registration LV-UX079, departed from Rivadavia Aerodrome in Mendoza, Argentina, for a recreational flight. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the aircraft's engine stopped abruptly.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot initiated an emergency landing in a rural area located roughly 6 km east of the aerodrome. During the approach, the pilot noted that the sun's position made visibility difficult while flying a westward heading, prompting a course correction to the south. The aircraft landed in a field characterized by xerophytic vegetation. While the terrain helped cushion the impact, the landing resulted in structural damage, specifically the breakage of the main landing gear arch and damage to the aircraft's fairings.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the engine's sudden cessation. The pilot reported that no other corrective actions were taken prior to selecting the landing site. Because the BA-5GURI is an experimental ultralight, the investigation noted that such aircraft are designed, built, and maintained without standardized industry requirements, a risk inherently assumed by the amateur builder. Additionally, as an experimental craft, it lacks a type certificate, meaning many components may not follow standard aeronautical traceability or maintenance protocols.
Findings
- The engine stopped during the cruise phase of a recreational flight.
- The specific cause of the engine failure could not be definitively confirmed based on the available evidence.
- The pilot's visibility was temporarily compromised by the sun's position during the final approach.