La Rioja | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Amonacid Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots were killed while all five passengers were injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Los Mogotes Colorados: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1981 at 0745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

Líneas Aéreas Riojanas

Registration:

LV-MEV

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

La Rioja – Chilecito

MSN:

31-7852014

YOM:

1978

Location:

Los Mogotes Colorados

La Rioja

Country:

Argentina

Region:

South America

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Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport in the early morning on a flight to Chilecito. After passing Patquía, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed in Los Mogotes Colorados, about 75 km southwest of La Rioja. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Daniel del Punta, pilot,
Santiago O'Brien, copilot.
Passengers:
Federico Coria Peñaloza,
Jacinto Robles,
Raúl Haise,
Augusto Cesar Gordillo.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that it was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B near La Mercedes: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Operator:

Citrex

Registration:

LV-HLE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

500-1127-73

YOM:

1961

Location:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances into a mountain in the region of La Mercedes. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation in La Rioja

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Operator:

International Aerodyne

Registration:

N8021

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Miami - Asunción - La Rioja

MSN:

4673

YOM:

1957

Location:

La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid

La Rioja

Country:

Argentina

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Miami to La Rioja with an intermediate stop at Asunción Airport. Upon landing at La Rioja-Capitan Vicente Almandos Amonacid Airport, one of the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

An undercarriage failed upon landing.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando into Laguna Brava

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Aerolineas Carreras Transportes Aéreos - ACTA

Registration:

LV-HIJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Antofagasta – Buenos Aires

MSN:

22346

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 5,250 meters, the propeller on the left engine oversped to 3,700 rpm and was feathered. The crew elected to divert to the nearest airport but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. A wheels up landing was carried out on the Laguna Brava salt lake at an altitude of 4,192 meters. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was abandoned on site. The airplane was completing a cargo flight from Antofagasta to Buenos Aires, carrying Arabian race horses.

Probable cause:

Forced landing with undercarriage retracted on an inadequate site because of technical faults in the No.1 engine which could not be determined.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK near Amaná: 25 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1954 at 2130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

LV-ACX

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Mendoza – Córdoba

MSN:

12387

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft, engaged on a scheduled flight between Mendoza and Córdoba, left Mendoza-El Plumerillo Airport at 1847LT with a crew of 4 and 21 passengers on board. At 2026LT the crew reported that he was diverting to La Rioja Airport as it was impossible to approach Córdoba due to poor weather conditions with heavy turbulences. At 2125Lt the crew reported to ATC about an ETA at La Rioja at 2140LT. Shortly later, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Sierra de Vilgo, near the village of Amaná. The wreckage was found three days later and all 25 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

For reasons which could not be determined the aircraft deviated from the prescribed route and followed a course which led it to crash in mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot-in-command's decision to descend below the minimum altitude specified for weather conditions requiring an instrument approach, contrary to the provisions of the Airline Operations Manual. A probable contributing factor was the probable fatigue of the aircraft crew.

Final Report:

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3mge in Chañar

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1953

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.52

Operator:

Registration:

LV-ZBG

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

5053

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a locust spraying mission in Chañar, province of La Rioja, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances. The three engine aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three crew members were injured.