What happened
On December 28, 2020, a Baloo amphibious aircraft, registration LV-X226, was conducting a general aviation training flight over Lake Nahuel Huapi in Río Negro, Argentina. After approximately 20 minutes of flight, the pilot performed a water landing on the lake. During the subsequent takeoff run, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces on the water's surface, which led to a loss of control. The aircraft veered toward the shoreline, where the ventral area of the fuselage impacted a rocky bottom.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, environmental conditions, and mechanical state of the aircraft. At the time of the accident, visibility was 10 km with winds from 2arg290° at 14 knots. While the pilot had received authorization to fly at 4,000 feet, the investigation established that the pilot conducted low-altitude flyovers and the water landing without notifying air traffic control.
Furthermore, investigators looked into the engine's fuel source. The Rotax 582 engine was being operated using automotive super gasoline, which contains 12% bioethanol. This exceeds the 10% ethanol limit specified by the engine manufacturer and violates Argentine aviation regulations, which prohibit the use of automotive fuels in aircraft due to potential adverse effects.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a series of bounces on the water during the takeoff run, which resulted in the loss of aircraft control.
- The pilot lacked the required single-engine floatplane rating and possessed limited experience with water operations.
- The impact with the rocky lake bed caused the structural failure of the aircraft's ventral fuselage.
- The pilot failed to notify air traffic services regarding the descent below the authorized altitude for training maneuvers.
- The use of automotive fuel with 12% ethanol exceeded the manufacturer's safety limits and violated ANAC prohibitions.