3 fatalities

1998-07-16: Rockwell Sabreliner 60 (LV-WPO) — Alas del Sur — Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella (Pajas Blancas), Argentina

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

On July 16, 1998, a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 (registration LV-WPO) operated by Alas del Sur was involved in an aviation accident near Córdoba-Ambrosio Taravella (Pajas Blancas), Argentina during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight crew's inability to intercept the instrument landing system signal led to a continued descent below the minimum descent altitude during night and IMC conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781205094Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight operating between Salta and Córdoba crashed short of the runway during an instrument approach, resulting in three fatalities.

What happened

A cargo operation traveling from Salta to Córdoba, which included a scheduled stop in San Miguel de Tucumán, ended in a fatal accident. The flight was transporting two pilots and one passenger at the time of the incident.

While proceeding toward its destination, the crew received clearance to descend to 8,000 feet before being cleared for an ILS approach to runway 18. During the approach, which was conducted under night conditions and within Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), the aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA). The aircraft type struck an open field approximately 11.4 km from the threshold of the runway. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and three fatalities.

Findings

The investigation determined that the crew failed to successfully intercept the ILS signal for runway 18. Due to this failure, the descent continued past the permitted altitude limits, leading to the impact with terrain below the MDA.

Probable cause

The flight crew's inability to intercept the instrument landing system signal led to a continued descent below the minimum descent altitude during night and IMC conditions.