On December 15, 2006, a Swearingen SA227 Metro III (registration LV-WRA) operated by Baires Fly was involved in an aviation accident near Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini, Argentina during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control shortly after rotation due to the premature retraction of the landing gear and a takeoff completed with a low climb gradient in the second segment. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
During a positioning flight between Buenos Aires airports, the crew experienced a left wing stall shortly after takeoff. The aircraft struck the runway, overran, and was damaged beyond repair; both pilots were uninjured. Investigation cited premature gear retraction and low climb gradient.
Event
The flight was a positioning operation between two airports in Buenos Aires: from Ministro Pistarini Airport to Jorge Newbury Airport. Prior to departure, the captain deactivated the Stall Alarm System; the reason for this action was not specified in the investigation. The takeoff was performed from runway 17. During the initial climb, the aircraft exhibited a low climb gradient. The landing gear were retracted at an altitude that was considered very low. Shortly thereafter, the left wing stalled and contacted the runway surface. The aircraft then became uncontrollable, impacted the ground, slid for a distance of several dozen metres, overran the end of the runway, and came to rest in an adjacent field. The two pilots on board were uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be: loss of control shortly after rotation due to the premature retraction of the landing gear and a takeoff completed with a low climb gradient in the second segment.
