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Night Approach Accident in Buenos Aires (CC-CCX)

Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini, ArgentinaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 3, 1978, a Boeing 707 (registration CC-CCX) operated by LAN Chile - Linea Aérea Nacional de Chile was involved in an aviation accident near Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini, Argentina during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration by the flying crew, who continued the approach below the glide in reduced visibility. The crew failed to follow the approach checklist and check instruments. Lack of visibility was a contributing factor. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 707
Photo: USAF / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A four-engine aircraft struck trees 2.5 km short of runway 11 in Buenos Aires at night due to low altitude and fog. The plane crashed in flames, injuring 22 occupants.

Incident Overview and Environment On a night approach to Buenos Aires, the flight crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility caused by fog. During the final approach, the aircraft struck trees located 2.5 kilometers short of the runway 11 threshold. The accident occurred after the pilot-in-command failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was too low. The four-engine airplane then lost height and crashed in a wooded area situated 300 meters to the right of the extended centerline, where it was destroyed by a post-crash fire. The incident resulted in 22 injured occupants and 42 unhurt occupants.

Probable cause

Wrong approach configuration by the flying crew, who continued the approach below the glide in reduced visibility. The crew failed to follow the approach checklist and check instruments. Lack of visibility was a contributing factor.

Related events

Same operator

More Boeing 707 safety records →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Aug 1978 Boeing 707 accident near Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini, Argentina?

A four-engine aircraft struck trees 2.5 km short of runway 11 in Buenos Aires at night due to low altitude and fog. The plane crashed in flames, injuring 22 occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Aug 1978 Boeing 707 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Aug 1978 involved a Boeing 707, registration CC-CCX, operated by LAN Chile - Linea Aérea Nacional de Chile, at Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini, Argentina.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Wrong approach configuration by the flying crew, who continued the approach below the glide in reduced visibility. The crew failed to follow the approach checklist and check instruments. Lack of visibility was a contributing factor.

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