What happened
On the scheduled flight from Buenos Aires to Asunción, which included planned stops at Rosario, Corrientes, and Formosa, a seaplane departed the harbor at 11:52 local time. Shortly after the takeoff phase, the pilot experienced significant oscillations and loss of control over the aircraft. Due to these handling difficulties, the decision was made to abort the mission and return to Buenos Aires for an emergency landing.
An immediate landing was obstructed by a vessel positioned within the navigation channel. After performing several flight circuits to wait for a clear path, the pilot attempted to bring the aircraft down. During this maneuver, the plane struck the water a few hundred yards from the shoreline. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and caused 9 fatalities (one crew member and eight passengers) and 41 injuries among the remaining occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to the mechanical state of the aircraft. The crash was likely triggered by the premature retraction of the flaps during the approach. This issue was compounded by poor maintenance practices that compromised the airworthiness of the plane. Specifically, investigators noted a failure to follow established procedures for clearing the elevator control as outlined in the manufacturer's maintenance manual.