What happened
On a night-time medical transport flight from San Fernando Airport to Esquel, an aircraft carrying two pilots and two medical personnel encountered significantly reduced visibility. During the approach to Esquel-Brigadier General Antonio Parodi Airport, visibility dropped to approximately 200 metres, causing the crew to lose visual contact with the runway periodically.
Despite the low visibility, the flight crew proceeded with the descent. Upon reaching the decision height, the captain elected to continue the approach. After the aircraft passed the threshold of Runway 23 at an altitude of 78 feet, the pilot-in-command began a go-around maneuver and initiated a turn to the left. During this turn, the tip of the left wing's fuel tank made contact with the ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control and crash into an embankment situated roughly 400 metres to the left of the runway centerline. The impact resulted in the aircraft overturning and catching fire. The accident resulted in three fatalities and one survivor with serious injuries; the two passengers perished, and while one pilot survived the initial crash, the co-pilot later succumbed to their injuries.
Findings
- The crew continued the approach despite intermittent loss of visual contact with the runway due to poor visibility.
- The pilot decided to continue the descent at decision height despite the challenging weather conditions.