What happened
A positioning flight involving a twin engine aircraft began at San Miguel de Tucumán-Teniente Benjamin Matienzo Airport at midday, destined for a private airstrip at Estancia La Juliana. Prior to the initial takeoff, the crew was unable to increase the fuel load due to a lack of available funds.
After arriving at Estancia La Juliana, the crew experienced a two-hour delay before transporting the farm owner to Estancia El Descanso, located approximately 70 km away. Following another two-hour wait at the second location, the crew began the return leg to San Miguel de Tucumán. This final flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at an altitude of 3,500 feet.
During the approach to the airport, the crew reported an emergency after experiencing a simultaneous loss of power in both engines. While attempting an emergency landing with the landing gear and flaps retracted, the aircraft struck a tree and crashed into an open field near El Chañar, roughly 13 km northeast of the runway 20 threshold. The accident resulted in three injuries, with two individuals sustaining serious harm. The aircraft was destroyed in the impact.
Findings
- The crew was unable to carry additional fuel for the mission due to insufficient cash on hand.
- The aircraft suffered a total loss of power in both engines during the approach phase.