What happened
On July 9, 2019, a private Cessna T210L, registration LV-GWG, departed from Ezpeleta Aerodrome in Buenos Aires for a recreational flight to La Plata. During the initial climb, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of engine power accompanied by intense vibrations and an aural warning. Unable to maintain altitude or increase airspeed, the pilot transitioned to the landing circuit to perform an emergency landing.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot reduced power, at which point the landing gear warning alarm became audible. However, due to the ongoing engine malfunction and the aircraft's proximity to the ground, the pilot was unable to extend the gear or abort the landing. The aircraft made contact with the runway with the landing gear retracted, causing the propeller to strike the surface and resulting in a sudden engine stoppage. There were no injuries to the pilot during the incident.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed a flight data recorder, witness video of the landing, and a technical report from the workshop that disassembled the engine. The technical examination revealed that the partial power loss was caused by the failure of an exhaust valve spring in cylinder number three.
Regarding maintenance records, the investigation noted that while the engine had undergone an overhaul in the United States in 2008, there were no documented records of the required 100-hour injector inspection. At the time of the accident, the injectors had accumulated 102.9 hours since their last recorded inspection.