What happened
A scheduled commercial flight departing from Mendoza-El Plumerillo Airport at 18:47 local time was en route to Córdoba with 21 passengers and a crew of 4. During the flight, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft would divert to La Rioja Airport because heavy turbulence and adverse weather prevented an approach into Córdoba. The crew provided an estimated arrival time at La Rioja for 21:40 local time.
Shortly after this communication, the aircraft struck a mountain slope within the Sierra de Vilgo region, close to the village of Amaná. Search teams located the wreckage three days after the disappearance. There were no survivors among the 25 fatalities recorded in the accident.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the aircraft departed from its intended flight path and entered a course that resulted in impact with mountainous terrain. A primary contributing factor was the decision by the pilot-in-command to descend to an altitude lower than the minimums required for the prevailing weather conditions, which violated established airline operating procedures. Additionally, investigators identified potential crew fatigue as a contributing element to the accident.