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51 fatalities

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

Mar del Plata, ArgentinaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 16, 1959, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration LV-GED) operated by Austral Lineas Aéreas was involved in an aviation accident near Mar del Plata, Argentina during landing or approach. 51 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 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

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.

Departure and Approach History The aircraft departed Buenos Aires-Aeroparque-Jorge Newbury Airport at 1950 local time, delayed by 35 minutes because of bad weather at the destination. The flight was otherwise uneventful until the captain received permission to land on runway 12 at Mar del Plata-Brigadier General Bartolomé de la Colina Airport. ## Missed Approach and Impact The aircraft passed over the runway threshold at a height of 85 meters and overshot. The captain initiated a go-around, but control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed into the sea about 1.2 kilometers offshore. ## Casualties One passenger was seriously injured, while all 51 other 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.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jan 1959 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Mar del Plata, Argentina?

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.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Jan 1959 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 51 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jan 1959 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration LV-GED, operated by Austral Lineas Aéreas, at Mar del Plata, Argentina.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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…

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