What happened
On August 16, 2025, a Pipstrel Virus SW12 and registration LV-S090 was conducting a local pleasure flight departing from Cafayate Aerodrome in the Salta province of Argentina. While maintaining an altitude of 1,000 feet AGL, the pilot encountered turbulent air. As a precautionary measure, the pilot decided to terminate the flight and proceed with an immediate landing.
During the landing phase, while performing an approach on runway 34, the aircraft experienced an abnormal contact with the runway surface. The impact resulted in minor damage to the nose gear cowling and the tip of the propeller. There were no injuries reported following the incident.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) conducted a desk investigation into the event. Investigators reviewed meteorological data and interviewed the pilot-in-command. At the time of the incident, the wind was reported at 050 degrees at 7 knots, providing a crosswind component of 7 knots. This value was well within the aircraft's demonstrated maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 18 KIAS.
Findings
- The pilot elected to land early due to encountering turbulence at 1,000 feet AGL.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller tip and nose gear cowling.
- No technical failures or other deviations from standard procedures were identified during the investigation.