1953 Instrument Approach Accident at Córdoba (LV-ABQ)

Flight Details and Approach Sequence The aircraft departed Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, on a scheduled airline flight and landed without incident at Salta two hours and 30 minutes later. It then took off from Salta for Córdoba at approximately 1645 local time, carrying a total load of 3,512 kg. The route forecast to Marcos Juárez reported partly cloudy conditions, 15 km visibility, stratocumulus 7/8 at 800 meters, altocumulus 3/8 at 3,000 meters, and upper winds of 13/15 knots from 20 degrees. The aircraft contacted Córdoba Airport control tower at 1856 local time and was cleared to enter the airport zone. At 1925 local time, it passed over the radio beacon, and the tower reported horizontal visibility of 6 km, average cloud height of 250 meters, altimeter pressure of 30 inches, and surface winds from the southeast at 10 to 11 knots. The approach began under instrument flight rules at an indicated speed of mph and an altitude of 5,100 feet above the radio range, exceeding the required 4,400 feet. The aircraft flew north for 1 minute 50 seconds with 15° flaps, then turned right onto a 45° course for one minute. Just before the turn, its altitude was 3,100 feet. It then turned left onto a 225° course. When the direction finder indicated 40° to the left, the compass was set to 180° and the direction finder maintained at 0°. At that moment, instruments indicated an altitude of 2,980 feet. The aircraft held this altitude for 30 seconds while engine speed was reduced for landing. It continued descending for another 1 minute 20 seconds until the altimeter read 2,200 feet. At that point, according to the pilot-in-command and copilot, the aircraft contacted the ground. It was completing a final straight-in approach aligned with runway 17. ## Outcome All 41 occupants evacuated safely. Only both pilots sustained slight injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.