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24 fatalities

Curtiss Aircraft Collision with Railway Signal Pole Near Buenos Aires Airport (LV-FTO)

Buenos Aires-Aeroparque-Jorge Newbery, ArgentinaLanding (descent or approach)

On June 30, 1961, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration LV-FTO) operated by Transcontinental TSA was involved in an aviation accident near Buenos Aires-Aeroparque-Jorge Newbery, Argentina during landing or approach. 24 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot to follow the instrument approach chart. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A Curtiss aircraft struck an 8 m railway signal pole while on an instrument approach to Buenos Aires Airport, killing 24 people and injuring 11. The official probable cause was the pilot's failure to follow the instrument approach chart.

Approach and Impact Location While on an instrument approach to Buenos Aires Airport, the crew received clearance for a runway 12 approach. The aircraft was 1,300 m short of the runway and 175 m to the right of the extended centerline when it struck an 8 m high railway signal pole. ## Damage and Crash Sequence The impact separated the outer part of the right wing. The Curtiss then turned approximately 45° to the right and struck a group of trees and telegraph lines. The aircraft crashed in flames and was destroyed upon impact. ## Casualties The accident killed two crew members and 22 passengers. Eleven other occupants were injured. ## Official Probable Cause The investigation attributed the accident to the pilot's failure to follow the instrument approach chart.

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