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Crash of a Learjet 35A in Esquel: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2020 at 2238 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-BXU
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Fernando – Esquel
MSN:
35-462
YOM:
1982
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1498
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2612
Aircraft flight hours:
11711
Aircraft flight cycles:
10473
Circumstances:
The airplane departed San Fernando Airport on an ambulance flight to Esquel, carrying a doctor, a nurse and two pilots. On approach to Esquel-Brigadier General Antonio Parodi Airport at night, the crew encountered poor visibility (200 metres) and the visual contact with the runway was lost intermittently. Nevertheless, the crew continued the approach and at decision height, the captain decided to continue the descent. After crossing Runway 23 threshold at a height of 78 feet, the pilot-in-command initiated a go-around procedure and turned to the left. The airplane continued in a left hand turn, causing the left wing tip fuel tank to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane crashed on a small embankment located about 400 metres to the left of the runway centerline, coming to rest upside down and bursting into flames. Both passengers were killed and both pilots were seriously injured. Two days later, the copilot died from injuries sustained.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and the airplane did not suffer any technical anomalies.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew failed to check the approach charts according to SOP's,
- The approach was initiated and continued in conditions that were below weather minimums,
- Visibility data transmitted by Tower to the crew were inaccurate, leading to confusion on the part of the pilots and their decision-making,
- Both engines were at full power upon impact as the crew was initiating a go-around procedure.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Comodoro Rivadavia

Date & Time: Apr 4, 2008
Operator:
Registration:
T-84
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
214
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Comodoro Rivadavia Airport, while climbing, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a desert area located about 10 km from the airport. While all six occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Trelew

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
0690/6-G-84
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LD-453
YOM:
1972
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188PF Electra in Trelew

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1989 at 1205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
0789/6-P-101
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires - Trelew
MSN:
1123
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
FAA789
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Trelew-Almirante Zar Airport runway 06, the aircraft collided with a truck that was parked at the side of the runway. The left main gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. All 23 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Dinfia IA.50 Guaraní II in Comodoro Rivadavia

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-112
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
02
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident at Comodoro Rivadavia Airport. There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 748-1-105 in Sarmiento

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-HHH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Esquel - Sarmiento
MSN:
1546
YOM:
1962
Flight number:
AR682
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
21542
Aircraft flight cycles:
17282
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the twin engine aircraft landed hard at Sarmiento Airport. Upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed, causing both propellers to struck the ground. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no injuries among the 28 occupants.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando off Puerto Lobos: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1966 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
LV-GLE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio Grande – Rio Gallegos – Buenos Aires
MSN:
22534
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
900
Aircraft flight hours:
24589
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a cargo flight from Rio Grande (Tierra del Fuego) to Ezeiza Airport, with an intermediate stop at Rio Gallegos (Santa Cruz). An IFR flight plan was filed for an off-airway overwater flight directly from Rio Gallegos to Ezeiza. The pilot-in-command stated that at 1700 hours and shortly after passing abeam of Comodoro Rivadavia he noticed that the No. 1 engine oil was low, the indicator reading approximately 23 US gallons. It should be pointed out that, although the pilot testified to being already beyond Comodoro Rivadavia at 1700 hours, he in fact reported abeam of that position to control tower of Comodoro Rivadavia Airport at 1720 hours. Thinking that the instrument might not be functioning correctly, he checked it while the mechanic looked out of the window but saw no signs of leakage. The check revealed that the engine was consuming a gallon of oil every 15 minutes. Temperature and pressure were normal. Under the circumstances, he decided to land at Trelew for an engine check and oil refill, his calculations having indicated that he would lose four gallons in the process and still have 17 remaining on landing. Meanwhile, the mechanic, who was still watching the engine, noticed oil flames which confirmed the leakage of oil. The pilot believed that he would sight Trelew before nightfall, but that he would have to make a night landing. After a few minutes the low oil pressure warning light for No. 2 engine came on, simultaneously the temperature rose and the pressure indicator oscillated, so he gave orders to stop the engine and feather the propeller. It was then 1735 hours and he was flying visually, having passed through the cloud layer over the area. The sun was no longer visible. He decided that there was no other alternative but to continue towards Trelew and then to find a landing strip, and at 2 700 m started to descend in order to cool No. 1 engine which had heated to 1100 on account of the greater power combined with slower speed. He descended gradually to 1 200 m to cool the engine as much as possible. He then gave orders to restart No. 2 engine, which was done, but it seized. He again had it stopped and the propeller feathered, and at this juncture considered the situation extremely serious since owing to height and speed loss he would reach Trelew after 1835 hours. At 450 m after calculating the cargo and fuel weight, the pilot ordered the greatest possible amount of cargo to be jettisoned and some 1 200 kg were thrown out. At 300 m he decided to make for the coast and try to ditch in the sea with only the port engine operating. The night was very dark and the shore, which lay to the north, could not be seen distinctly. Visibility was better towards 'the south. After heading out over the sea and making a 2700 turn to the left, he decided, as the aircraft descended, to come down parallel to the coast as close to it as possible taking care not to approach too close to avoid hitting any rocks. The passengers were briefed for the emergency and a door was left open, since at the moment of impact both the co-pilot and engineer would be occupied in cutting the battery, generators, magnetos, fuel cocks and operating the landing gear. With the lights extended and turned on, the pilot was able to see the water but not judge his height. When the altimeter registered zero, he started to draw back the control column and cut out the one operating engine until he realized the aircraft had hit the water. It travelled forward some 200 m, veered round to the right and came to a stop. It hit some rocks in the process losing the port engine, and other serious damage was caused by the uneven rocky bottom. The time was about 1830 hours and, according to the relevant tables, it had been completely dark since 1811 hours. The aircraft's position was 650 18' W, 43O 52' S. After ascertaining that no one had been injured, the 5-seat life raft was inflated. Owing to the lack of adequate life-saving equipment for everyone, the occupants of the aircraft reached the shore with the greatest difficulty, some in the life raft, others clinging to the sides. The engineer took an oxygen flask, jumped into the sea and disappeared from sight dragged down by the current, and in the darkness he could not be found. The cabin attendant and one passenger, who had decided to remain on top of the aircraft, left it when the tide fell enough for them to walk to shore. One crew member disappeared while trying to swim to shore. Damage to the aircraft and powerplant was estimated at 90% resulting from impact and subsequent immersion. The aircraft's cargo of hides and wool was a total loss.
Probable cause:
Decision to continue a flight with both engines impaired until ditching at night became inevitable, instead of making an emergency daytime landing on any of the various runways in the area at a time when the situation made it clear that this operation was inevitable. The pilot's action in planning the flight and in continuing it in the above- described circumstances was deficient and imprudent. He was carrying passengers in a cargo aircraft in defiance of existing regulations and in spite of the notification of such prohibition by the airline. This breach of regulations was further aggravated by the fact that a person without proper licence had been permitted to act as mechanic on board. For this latter infraction, the airline owning the aircraft should also be held responsible.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-40-DK in Trelew: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1958
Operator:
Registration:
T-19
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Trelew – Comodoro Rivadavia
MSN:
16790/33538
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Trelew Airport, while climbing, the pilot-in-command made a steep turn at low height when the airplane struck a hill and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed, among them nine civilians flying to an oil center located in Patagonia.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1 in Esquel

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-82
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Esquel Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Latécoère 28/0 near Pampa de Salamanca: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1936 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
R-293
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bahía Blanca – Comodoro Rivadavia – Río Grande
MSN:
929
YOM:
1930
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Bahía Blanca to Comodoro Rivadavia, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an uninhabited area located near Pampa de Salamanca, about 80 km north of Comodoro Rivadavia. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Próspero Palazzo,
Cesar Brugo.