Aircraft impact on Mount Chivilme during cargo flight

4 fatalities • Mt Chivilme, Argentina • Flight

A cargo flight operating between San Miguel de Tucumán and Salta crashed into a mountainside, resulting in the deaths of all four people on board.

What happened

A cargo operation traveling from Córdoba to Salta, which included a scheduled stop in San Miguel de Tucumán, ended in a fatal accident near Salta. The flight, carrying two pilots and two passengers, departed from San Miguel de Tucumán-Teniente Benjamin Matienzo Airport at 21:45 local time. After takeoff, the crew received clearance to climb to flight level 180.

At 22:01 local time, the flight crew transmitted a position report while passing over the PONPI VOR, situated approximately 55 nautical miles from the Salta destination. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft was authorized to descend through the cloud layer under visual meteorological conditions. While maintaining an altitude of 6,970 feet, the aircraft type struck the terrain at the slope of Mt Chivilme, located roughly 36.4 km southwest of Salta Airport. The impact caused the total destruction of the aircraft, and all four occupants were killed in the crash.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the descent.
  • The collision occurred during the cruise phase of the flight while navigating toward Salta.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the slope of Mount Chivilme while flying at 6,970 feet.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-02-07 Dassault Falcon 20 accident near Mt Chivilme, Argentina?

A cargo flight operating between San Miguel de Tucumán and Salta crashed into a mountainside, resulting in the deaths of all four people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1997-02-07 Dassault Falcon 20 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-02-07 involved a Dassault Falcon 20, registration LV-WLH, operated by Estornel Air Services, at Mt Chivilme, Argentina.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck the slope of Mount Chivilme while flying at 6,970 feet.

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