What happened
A cargo operation transporting 99 sheep experienced significant delays during loading, resulting in a departure from Río Gallegos after nightfall. The flight's destination was originally intended to be completed during daylight hours, but the route was altered to Villa Reynolds. During the approach, weather conditions deteriorated, yet the crew continued the flight under visual flight rules rather than transitioning to an instrument flight plan.
Following unsuccessful attempts to establish communication with Villa Reynolds, the crew attempted to navigate toward Río Cuarto by following a roadway, using lightning flashes and vehicle headlights for orientation. At the airfield, heavy rain and wind prevented ground staff from maintaining traditional kerosene signal lights, necessitating the use of four vehicles to mark the runway threshold with headlights.
The crew became disoriented and requested assistance from air traffic control to determine their position based on engine noise. During a second attempt to locate the runway, the aircraft struck the ground and slid for approximately 300 meters across flat terrain. The impact caused the plane to breach a wire fence before coming to a stop in a cornfield located 5 km northeast of the airport. While the aircraft was a total loss, all four occupants survived the accident.
Findings
The accident occurred because the crew continued flight operations at night amidst worsening meteorological conditions. The situation was further complicated by the lack of an adequate alternate aerodrome and insufficient fuel endurance to safely manage a diversion.