What happened
On December 21, 2020, a Cessna 150-L, registration LV-BXM, was conducting a local flight for flight instructor training at the General Viamonte Aerodrome in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After completing approximately 30 minutes of flight under visual meteorological conditions, the aircraft began taxiing toward the apron at 22:10 UTC.
During the taxi maneuver, the nose gear unexpectedly entered a pothole located on the runway. The impact caused the propeller to make contact with the ground. Upon recognizing the situation, the instructor immediately shut down the engine using the cockpit controls. The aircraft sustained minor damage to both the propeller and the nose landing gear. No injuries were reported for the two occupants on board.
The investigation
The JST investigation was initiated following a report from the instructor. Due to the nature of the event and the extent of the damage, the incident was classified as an incident rather than an accident, and a physical site visit by investigators was not required. The investigation relied on photographic evidence and measurements provided by the pilot.
Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records and the certifications of both the instructor and the student pilot, finding all documentation to be in compliance with current regulations. The aircraft was also found to be airworthy and maintained according to the manufacturer's requirements.
Findings
- The pothole was located approximately 100 meters from the threshold of runway 23, positioned 3 meters from the runway centerline.
- The pothole was obscured by grass, which prevented the pilot from seeing the hazard during the taxi.
- While the taxiway grass was kept short and in good condition, the specific area containing the hole was overgrown, making the defect invisible to the crew.