Argentina

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella (Pajas Blancas)

Schedule:

La Rioja - Buenos Aires

MSN:

500-1673-19

YOM:

1967

Location:

Córdoba

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a cargo flight from La Rioja to Buenos Aires, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to divert to Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella Airport. On final approach, both engines failed and the pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a field located 1,200 metres short of runway. It slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest in a grassy area. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that both engines failed due to the malfunction of the fuel supply system due to poor maintenance.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C on Mt Chivilme: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1997 at 2211 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dassault Falcon 20

Operator:

Estornel Air Services

Registration:

LV-WLH

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Córdoba – San Miguel de Tucumán – Salta

MSN:

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

15118

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Córdoba to Salta with an intermediate stop in San Miguel de Tucumán, carrying two passengers and two pilots. The crew departed San Miguel de Tucumán-Teniente Benjamin Matienzo Airport at 2145LT and was cleared to climb to FL180. At 2201LT, the crew reported over PONPI VOR located 55 nm from Salta. Two minutes later, the crew was cleared to descent on top of the clouds in VMC conditions. While cruising at an altitude of 6,970 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Chivilme located 36,4 km southwest of Salta Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with a mountain during the descent prior to landing, while flying an instrument approach procedure other than the existing airport destination with errors in distances and heights. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Use of GPS as the primary instrument of navigation, when it should be used as a supplementary tool or reference,
- Lack of control over the instruments and procedures,
- Poor crew resources management,
- Placement of a fictitious point in the GPS with the name 'F-SAL' point which is easily confused with "SALT", the acronym of the Salta airport.

Crash of a Grumman S-2E Tracker in Bahía Blanca

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1996

Type of aircraft:

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Operator:

Registration:

0703/2-AS-24

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Bahía Blanca-Comandante Espora

Schedule:

Bahía Blanca - Bahía Blanca

MSN:

325

YOM:

1957

Location:

Buenos Aires province

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight at Bahía Blanca-Comandante Espora Airbase. For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed on its belly and came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Boeing 707-372C in Buenos Aires: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1996 at 1422 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 707

Operator:

Registration:

LV-LGP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini

Schedule:

Santiago de Chile - Buenos Aires

MSN:

20077

YOM:

1968

Flight number:

LD5025

Location:

Buenos Aires City

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Santiago de Chile to Buenos Aires, carrying eight crew members and a load of 30 tons of fish. On final approach to Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini Airport runway 11, at a speed of 151 knots, the crew quickly extended flaps to 14°, 25°, 40° and finally 50°, causing the aircraft to nose down and enter a rapid descent until it struck the ground 750 metres short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the aircraft broke in three and caught fire. Both pilots were killed while six other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The following findings were reported:
- Erroneous setting of the air brakes at the same time as the flaps were fully extended during the short final approach,
- Erroneous planning during the descent and approach,
- Failure to use the experience of a similar previous event,
- Insufficient attention to the critical situation in the aircraft operating documentation,
- Failure to conduct a briefing prior to the approach and descent,
- Non-use of the LCP during the entire approach maneuver,
- Insufficient training in CRM.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 near Cutral Có

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1996 at 1810 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

LV-LNY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cutral Có - Rincón de Los Sauces

MSN:

171

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Cutral Có Airport, the crew continued under VFR mode over a hilly terrain and at an insufficient altitude. While trying to make an evasive manoeuvre to avoid ground contact, the aircraft struck the top of a hill with its right wing, stalled and crashed. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Impact of the aircraft against a mountain slope while attempting an evasive manoeuvre during a steep left turn. Decision of the crew to fly over hilly terrain below the minimum safe altitude under VFR mode. A contributing factor was the possible distraction of the crew during the last part of the flight over the canyon.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Tandil

Date & Time: May 16, 1996 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

TC-67

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4576

YOM:

1975

Location:

Tandil

Buenos Aires province

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA226T Merlin III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances while landing at Tandil Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in Ushuaia

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1996 at 1350 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Alas del Sur

Registration:

LV-WLW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Swearingen SA227 Metro III

Schedule:

Río Grande – Ushuaia

MSN:

T-230

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Ushuaia Airport, following an uneventful cargo flight from Río Grande, the twin engine aircraft collided with a flock of birds. The windshield was broken and the left engine lost power. The crew was able to continue the approach and landing. After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control and collided with a snow wall. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Bird strike on final approach.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Rincón de Los Sauces

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1996 at 2115 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

LV-AOR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site: