4 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes Near Mojotoro (LV-MEW)

Mojotoro, ArgentinaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 23, 2000, a Cessna 402 (registration LV-MEW) operated by Ingenio y Refinería San Martín del Tabacal was involved in an aviation accident near Mojotoro, Argentina during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the descent under VFR mode in IMC conditions. It was reported that both pilots have the qualifications for IFR flight but were never trained to fly in such conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft on an executive flight from Orán to Salta struck a mountain slope near Mojotoro, killing all four occupants. The crew continued descent under VFR into IMC conditions.

Accident Sequence

On the day of the accident, a twin-engine aircraft departed Orán Airport at 0845 local time on an executive flight to Salta, carrying two pilots and two passengers. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). At 0910, the crew reported their position over Moxat at an altitude of 8,000 feet. Thirteen minutes later, at 0923, they informed air traffic control of their position 15 nautical miles northeast of Salta Airport and were instructed to contact Salta Tower. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain at Finca el Desmonde, near Mojotoro. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and all four occupants were killed.

Victims

The aircraft carried two pilots and two passengers. All four occupants died as a result of the crash.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the probable cause was controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the descent under VFR mode in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). It was reported that both pilots held qualifications for instrument flight rules (IFR) but had never been trained to fly in such conditions.