What happened
On May 6, 2020, at 01:38 UTC, a Learjet 35A, registration LV-BXU, crashed into the ground near the Brigadier General Antonio Parodi Airport in Esquel, Argentina. The aircraft, operated by MD Fly S.A., was performing a non-scheduled medical flight from San Fernando to Esquel.
The flight crew, consisting of a pilot and a co-pilot, was executing an instrument approach under low-visibility conditions. During the approach, the crew attempted to land but ultimately initiated a missed approach (go-around) maneuver. During this transition, the aircraft struck the terrain, leading to the total destruction of the airframe and engines. The accident resulted in one fatality among the crew and two injuries to the medical passengers on board.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) examined the flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the final approach and the execution of the missed approach procedure. Investigators analyzed the communications between the flight crew and the air traffic controller at Esquel, noting the crew's attempts to identify the runway lights in the darkness and low visibility. The investigation also reviewed the technical performance of the aircraft's systems and the crew's management of the flight parameters during the critical moments of the maneuver.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a controlled flight into terrain during the execution of a missed approach.
- The crew was operating in instrument meteorological conditions with limited visual reference to the runway.
- There was a lack of visual contact with the terrain during the transition from the approach to the climb.
- The aircraft's engines and airframe were destroyed upon impact.