31 fatalities

1960-12-11: Avro 691 Lancastrian (T-102) — Argentinian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Argentina — San Andres de Giles, Argentina

San Andres de Giles, ArgentinaFlight

On December 11, 1960, an Avro 691 Lancastrian (registration T-102) operated by Argentinian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Argentina was involved in an aviation accident near San Andres de Giles, Argentina in flight. 31 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control while flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781246172Data APIEditorial standards

While approaching Buenos Aires from the west, a four-engine aircraft operating on behalf of CAME encountered poor weather, lost control, and crashed in a field near San Andres de Giles. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 31 occupants were killed.

Accident

On a flight from Lima, Peru, to El Palomar Airbase in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with an intermediate stop at Antofagasta, Chile, a four-engine aircraft was operating on behalf of the Correo Aéreo Militar al Exterior (CAME). While approaching Buenos Aires from the west, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Control of the aircraft was lost, and it dove into the ground, crashing in flames in a field located in San Andres de Giles, approximately 80 kilometers west of El Palomar Airbase. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 31 occupants were killed.

Investigation

An official investigation was conducted into the accident. The findings determined that the loss of control occurred while the crew was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) mode in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). No other causal factors were identified in the report.

Probable Cause

The probable cause, as stated by the investigation, was the loss of control while the crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions.