What happened
On August 9, 2022, a Piper PA-11C, registration LV-NIG, was conducting a solo flight for flight training purposes at the Chañar Ladeado aerodrome in Santa Fe, Argentina. The pilot, a student with 27 total flight hours, had previously completed a flight with an instructor earlier that day. Following a post-flight briefing, the student elected to perform a second solo flight to practice specific maneuvers, including turns around a fixed point and "S" turns over a roadway.
During the execution of these maneuvers at an altitude of approximately 500 feet, the instructor, who was observing from the ground, heard a sudden engine acceleration followed by the sound of an impact. Upon reaching the site, the instructor discovered that the aircraft had struck the terrain. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and significant damage to the engine and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the JST focused on the flight sequence, the aircraft's technical condition, and the maintenance history. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the aircraft's attitude at impact was consistent with a loss of control in flight. While the investigation could not definitively determine if a mechanical failure preceded the impact, they noted that the internal aileron linkage of the left wing had separated from the aileron. This separation was characterized by severe corrosion on the spar web and rivet stems.
Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the maintenance records provided by the repair workshop. Discrepancies were found between the documented maintenance tasks and the actual physical state of the aircraft. Specifically, investigators identified the use of non-aviation grade components, such as non-certified seatbelts and an unapproved fuel hose that lacked proper fire protection and identification markings.
Findings
- The pilot was a student performing solo training maneuvers at a low altitude (500 feet), which left minimal margin for recovery following a loss of control.
- The aircraft exhibited a significant lack of preventive and corrective maintenance.
- Critical components, including aileron hinge reinforcements, had been repaired using unapproved materials and processes.
- The fuel system included a hose that was not an approved aeronautical component and was installed with non-aviation hardware.
- The aircraft was equipped with seatbelts that did not meet required technical specifications for aviation use.