6 fatalities

2005-05-08: Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (LV-LXO) — Borealis Taxi Aéreo — Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella (Pajas Blancas), Argentina

Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella (Pajas Blancas), ArgentinaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 8, 2005, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration LV-LXO) operated by Borealis Taxi Aéreo was involved in an aviation accident near Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella (Pajas Blancas), Argentina during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: During a night approach in IMC conditions, the aircraft collided with the antenna of the inner marker after the crew descended below the MDA and deviated from the approach pattern. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781199615Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine charter flight from San Juan to Córdoba struck an antenna short of the runway during a night approach in poor weather, killing the two pilots and four passengers; three passengers were seriously injured.

Accident Details

A twin-engine aircraft operating a charter flight from San Juan to Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella Airport crashed while on approach. The flight carried seven passengers and two pilots. During a night approach, the crew encountered limited visibility due to adverse weather conditions. The aircraft descended below the glideslope and collided with the inner marker antenna, located approximately 700 metres short of runway 18. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft.

Casualties and Injuries

Both pilots and four passengers were killed in the crash. Three other passengers sustained serious injuries. Among the deceased were Argentinian racer Nicolas Vuyovich and Gustavo Ramonda, Director of the Toyota Corolla Racing Team, who had just won a race at the San Juan autodrome.

Official Findings

The probable cause of the accident was a night approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during which the aircraft collided with the inner marker antenna after the crew descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) and deviated from the approach pattern.

Contributing factors identified by the investigation included: adverse weather conditions likely producing an optical illusion among the crew; the crew's limited training in instrument flights; a wrong altimeter setting; absence of crew resource management; and poor crew coordination.