2026 Argentina Cessna 188 Agricultural Accident (LV-HKI)

Incident Overview and Location On 23 January 2026, a Cessna 188 (A) aircraft, registration LV-HKI, was destroyed in a controlled flight into or toward terrain (CFIT) accident in Argentina. The incident occurred at coordinates 33:48:00 South latitude and 61:04:48 West longitude. The aircraft was operating in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) during daylight hours. ## Aircraft and Operational Details The aircraft was a 1969 Cessna 188 (A), a small fixed-wing aeroplane with a maximum takeoff mass of 1,497 kg. It was powered by a Continental (Teledyne) USA 520 Family (IO-520D1153) engine and equipped with a McCauley Propeller Systems D2A34C98-NO propeller. The aircraft had accumulated 2,487.6 total hours, and its engine had 20.6 hours since new. The aircraft was registered in Argentina and operated by a private owner for non-scheduled agricultural aerial work. ## Flight Phase and Impact The accident occurred during the manoeuvring phase of flight. The aircraft impacted at a speed of 65 kt, which was classified as high. The impact attitude was nose down with wings level. The wreckage was located on an aerodrome or airstrip in a level/flat terrain area, specifically in a crops/cultivated field at an elevation of 295 ft. ## Personnel and Survival The pilot-in-command was a 56-year-old male holding an aeroplane pilot licence. He sustained one minor injury. The pilot survived the accident and escaped within one minute. No other persons were on board or on the ground. The aircraft was not carrying an emergency locator transmitter (ELT).