What happened
On January 12, 2025, a Boeing DC3C-S1C3G aircraft, registered as LV-VYL, was involved in a runway excursion at Ushuaia International Airport (SAWH) in Argentina. The aircraft, operated by a private owner, was performing a non-scheduled flight training mission. During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft veered from the paved surface, traveling approximately 1,100 meters. The impact occurred at a speed of roughly 60 knots with the aircraft in a level pitch and wings-level attitude. The excursion resulted in substantial damage to the lower portion of the fuselage, though there were no injuries to the three occupants on board.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control on the ground. Investigators examined the aircraft's technical status, noting that the airframe was 57 years old and the engines, Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 series, had 172 hours since their last overhaul. The investigation confirmed that all required airworthiness certificates and maintenance documentation were current at the time of the accident. The crew, consisting of a pilot-in-command and a co-pilot, were both performing flight training/instructional operations. The environmental conditions at the time of the landing were daylight with VMC visibility.
Findings
- The aircraft exited the paved runway area and traveled 1,100 meters across the aerodrome surface.
- The primary damage was concentrated on the lower fuselage of the aircraft.
- The aircraft was operating in a non-commercial, instructional capacity during a scheduled flight duration of approximately two hours.