Introduction
An ambulance flight operating between San Fernando Airport and Esquel-Brigadier General Antonio Parodi Airport crashed during the approach phase. The aircraft carried a doctor, a nurse, and two pilots.
Flight Details
The flight departed from San Fernando on an ambulance mission. It arrived at the Esquel area at night. The crew encountered poor visibility, reported as 200 meters, and intermittently lost visual contact with the runway. Despite the conditions, the crew continued the approach.
Approach and Accident
At decision height, the captain decided to continue descending. After crossing Runway 23's threshold at an altitude of 78 feet, the pilot-in-command initiated a go-around and turned the aircraft to the left. During the left turn, the left wing tip fuel tank struck the ground. The aircraft became uncontrollable and crashed onto a small embankment approximately 400 meters left of the runway centerline. It came to rest inverted and burst into flames.
Aftermath
Both passengers—the doctor and the nurse—were killed in the accident. Both pilots sustained serious injuries. The copilot died from those injuries two days later.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). No technical anomalies were found with the aircraft. Contributing factors included: the crew's failure to check approach charts according to standard operating procedures; initiating and continuing the approach in conditions below weather minimums; inaccurate visibility data transmitted by the tower, which led to pilot confusion and affected decision-making; and both engines operating at full power at impact as the crew was executing a go-around.