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Aircraft Overrun and Water Impact at Ushuaia Airport (LV-LIU)

Ushuaia, ArgentinaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 26, 1988, a Boeing 737-200 (registration LV-LIU) operated by Aerolineas Argentinas was involved in an aviation accident near Ushuaia, Argentina during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration by the crew who landed the aircraft at an excessive speed. The crew failed to use all available braking systems after touchdown, which was considered a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 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 737-200
Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During a descent to Ushuaia Airport, a crew chose runway 34 despite a clearance for runway 16. The aircraft landed hard at excessive speed, bounced, veered off the runway, and ended in the sea. All 62 occupants evacuated, with 13 injured.

Approach and Runway Selection While descending to Ushuaia Airport, the crew received destination weather information: wind 230° at 12 knots, runway 16 in use, visibility 30 km, 3/8 SC at 1,200 meters, 2/8 CU at 1,500 meters, temperature 9°C, and QNH 998.4 mb. After passing 8,000 feet on descent, the crew was cleared to land on runway 16. However, the captain preferred runway 34 because the latest report indicated wind from 360° gusting at 20 knots. The crew was informed of possible windshear on approach. ## Landing and Overrun The aircraft touched down on runway 34 at an excessive speed of 140 knots, compared with the prescribed 128 knots. The landing was hard, with a positive acceleration of 1.89 G, and the aircraft bounced. It then veered off the runway, went down an embankment, and came to rest in the sea, in about two meters of water. All 62 occupants were evacuated, and 13 were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause

Wrong approach configuration by the crew who landed the aircraft at an excessive speed. The crew failed to use all available braking systems after touchdown, which was considered a contributing factor.
Weather

Related events

Same operator

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Sept 1988 Boeing 737-200 accident near Ushuaia, Argentina?

During a descent to Ushuaia Airport, a crew chose runway 34 despite a clearance for runway 16. The aircraft landed hard at excessive speed, bounced, veered off the runway, and ended in the sea. All 62 occupants evacuated, with 13 injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Sept 1988 Boeing 737-200 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Sept 1988 involved a Boeing 737-200, registration LV-LIU, operated by Aerolineas Argentinas, at Ushuaia, Argentina.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Wrong approach configuration by the crew who landed the aircraft at an excessive speed. The crew failed to use all available braking systems after touchdown, which was considered a contributing factor.

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