What happened
On May 4, 2023, at approximately 18:30 UTC, a Piper PA-28, registration LV-LDR, was performing a training flight at the Chacras del Faro private aerodrome in Chubut, Argentina. The flight consisted of touch-and-go practice maneuvers on runway 10.
During the maneuver, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft but applied power to accelerate for the subsequent takeoff. Upon increasing engine power, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control, veering toward the left side of the runway. The aircraft drifted off the runway margins and entered a depression in the terrain, which caused the nose gear to collapse. The pilot evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions and the aircraft's performance during the maneuver. The aerodrome features a 420-meter unpaved runway. To the left of the runway, the terrain remains level for about 30 meters before dropping into a slope that leads toward the coast.
Meteorological data indicated a wind from 160 degrees at 10 knots, creating a crosswind component from the right for operations on runway 10. The investigation also noted that the nearby coastal cliffs could cause localized fluctuations in wind speed and direction at low altitudes. The pilot's credentials and flight history were reviewed, noting the pilot had previously validated military flight hours with the ANAC and held a valid Class 2 medical certificate.
Findings
- The aircraft was subject to a crosswind component from the right during the approach and takeoff phase.
- The application of engine power likely triggered the torque effect characteristic of this aircraft type, contributing to the leftward yaw.
- The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient directional control to keep the aircraft within the runway boundaries during the transition from landing to takeoff.