What happened
On July 14, 2023, at approximately 17:00 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 aircraft, registered LV-AXM, was involved in a ground incident at the Dr. Fernando Piragine Niveyro International Airport in Corrientes, Argentina. The aircraft, operated for private purposes, was stationary in a designated parking position. During the sequence of events, engine thrust was applied, which generated enough force from the turbines/propeller wash to cause the aircraft to overturn.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the ground operations of the Piper PA-28-161 while it was in a parked state. The inquiry established that the aircraft was positioned at its assigned parking spot at the Corrientes airport. The movement of the aircraft was triggered by the application of power, which led to the loss of stability and the subsequent rollover of the airframe.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the application of engine thrust while the aircraft was in a parked position.
- The resulting aerodynamic forces or propeller wash were sufficient to destabilize the aircraft, leading to its overturn.
- There were no injuries reported among the crew or passengers involved in the incident, and no fatalities occurred.