What happened
On September 13, 2019, at 17:30 UTC, a Piper PA-11, registration LV-RFU, was involved in a runway excursion at Morón Airport, Buenos Aires. The aircraft, operated by a flight school, was performing a solo flight as part of a private pilot license competency check.
After touching down on runway 02, the aircraft completed a normal landing roll before veering off the right side of the runway. The aircraft traveled approximately 50 meters into the adjacent grassy area before coming to a stop. There were no injuries to the pilot and no damage was sustained by the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical condition of the aircraft, the environmental factors, and the pilot's experience. Investigators confirmed that the braking system and directional controls were functioning correctly at the time of the incident. There was no evidence of wheel lock-up or mechanical failure. Weather conditions were reported as daylight with good visibility.
Records indicated that the student pilot had completed 10 hours of solo flight time and was performing the second landing of the day, having previously flown with an instructor. The investigation also noted the condition of the terrain in the runway safety area, observing ruts and uneven ground in the grass strip.