What happened
On July 13, 2024, a Cessna C-172, registration LV-IDW, was conducting a general aviation training flight from Coronel Vidal to Balcarce. While the aircraft was in the cruise phase of the flight, the pilot noticed smoke entering the cabin, which appeared to be originating from the rear section of the aircraft.
In response to the smoke, the pilot executed an emergency landing in a rural field located near the intersection of Route 2/26 and Route 55 in the Balcarce area, Buenos Aires province. Although the landing itself was successful, the aircraft subsequently caught fire and was destroyed.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the observation of smoke to the total loss of the airframe. Investigators examined the flight path and the circumstances surrounding the emergency descent and landing in the rural area. The investigation is currently focused on determining the exact source of the smoke within the rear compartment of the aircraft.