Nighttime Missed Approach Ends in Sea Crash at Mar del Plata (LV-GED)

An aircraft overshot runway 12 at Mar del Plata during a night approach in bad weather, stalled, and crashed into the sea. One passenger was seriously injured, and 51 occupants were killed.

Probable cause

The pilot failed during a missed approach procedure to observe the instrument flight procedure and attempted to continue visual flight by night in unfavourable weather conditions. The aircraft then lost altitude and descended into the sea. Contributing factors were: - As the pilot was not familiar with the airport in this type of operation, he miscalculated during the instrument approach procedure, - The pilot's temporarily confused mental state, when he found himself in this critical situation, affected his capability and skill, - The radio beacon was out of service and the lighting was poor because of the weather conditions at the time of the approach, - Unsatisfactory dispatching of the aircraft by the operator.