Austral E190 at Montevideo on Sep 11th 2014, loss of separation with helicopter on crossing runway

An Austral Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 on behalf Aerolineas Argentinas, registration LV-CIF performing flight AR-2394 from Buenos Aires Aeroparque,BA (Argentina) to Montevideo (Uruguay), was on final approach to and cleared to land on Montevideo's runway 24 at about 17:33L (20:33Z).

At the same time a helicopter of Uruguay's Air Force was cleared to operate on crossing runway 19.

The crew of the Embraer recognized a conflict at the intersection of runways 24 and 19 on short final and went around from below 200 feet, the aircraft climbed over the helicopter. The aircraft levelled off at 2000 feet and positioned for another approach to runway 24 which resulted in a safe landing.

Uruguay's Directorate of Civil Aviation have opened an investigation into the occurrence rated a serious incident.

There are sources indicating the Embraer may have already touched down and balked the landing (took off again) climbing over the helicopter.

Runways 19 and 24 intersect about 1940 meters/6360 feet down runway 24.

Metars:

SUMU 112300Z 00000KT CAVOK 13/05 Q1020 NOSIG

SUMU 112200Z 00000KT CAVOK 14/04 Q1019 NOSIG

SUMU 112100Z 00000KT CAVOK 15/05 Q1020 NOSIG

SUMU 112000Z 26007KT CAVOK 17/02 Q1019 NOSIG

SUMU 111900Z 25010KT CAVOK 18/01 Q1019 NOSIG

SUMU 111800Z 24006KT CAVOK 18/M00 Q1019 NOSIG

SUMU 111700Z 24012KT CAVOK 18/M01 Q1020 NOSIG

Map (Graphics: Google Earth):