Departure and Fuel Limitation
At noon, a twin-engine aircraft departed San Miguel de Tucumán-Teniente Benjamin Matienzo Airport on a positioning flight to a private airstrip at Estancia La Juliana, 75 km away. Before departure, the crew could not add more fuel to the tanks because they lacked sufficient cash.
Itinerary and Delays
Upon arrival at Estancia La Juliana, the crew waited two hours before the farm's owner was transported to another property, Estancia El Descanso, approximately 70 km away. The crew again waited two hours before the final flight back to San Miguel de Tucumán.
Return Flight and Emergency
The return flight was conducted under VFR mode at 3,500 feet. While approaching San Miguel de Tucumán-Teniente Benjamin Matienzo Airport, the crew declared an emergency after both engines stopped.
Accident and Injuries
With flaps and gear retracted, the pilot attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft struck a tree and crashed in an open field near El Chañar, about 13 km northeast of runway 20 threshold. All three occupants were injured, two seriously. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
Official findings indicate double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion, attributed to poor flight planning by the crew who failed to correctly calculate the fuel required for the day's trips.