Zone
La Rioja

Crash of a Cessna 402 in La Rioja: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
LV-JOD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
La Rioja – San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca
MSN:
402-0127
YOM:
1967
Location:
La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid
La Rioja
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Amonacid Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots were killed while all five passengers were injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Los Mogotes Colorados: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1981 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Líneas Aéreas Riojanas
Registration:
LV-MEV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Rioja – Chilecito
MSN:
31-7852014
YOM:
1978
Location:
Los Mogotes Colorados
La Rioja
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport in the early morning on a flight to Chilecito. After passing Patquía, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed in Los Mogotes Colorados, about 75 km southwest of La Rioja. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Daniel del Punta, pilot,
Santiago O'Brien, copilot.
Passengers:
Federico Coria Peñaloza,
Jacinto Robles,
Raúl Haise,
Augusto Cesar Gordillo.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that it was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in San Miguel de Tucumán: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1975 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
TC-62
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Miguel de Tucumán – La Rioja – San Juan – El Palomar
MSN:
4309
YOM:
1968
Location:
San Miguel de Tucumán-Teniente Benjamin Matienzo
Tucumán
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
114
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane was flying back to El Palomar Airbase in Buenos Aires with intermediate stops in La Rioja and San Juan, carrying 114 policemen (Argentine Federal Police) who were returning to their base after an intervention in the Tucumán Province. During the takeoff roll, after a course of 800 meters and at a speed of 200 km/h, the pilot started the rotation when an explosion occurred on the runway surface approximately 100 meters in front of him. While climbing to a height of some 12-15 meters, the aircraft was hit by debris and the denotation. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in flames 400 meters further. 115 occupants were evacuated, 29 of them were injured. Six policemen were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during takeoff following a bomb explosion that was placed on the runway pavement. Investigations determined that a plan was to set off an explosive charge in the form of a conical tip placed below the runway when the C-130 was to be at full throttle during takeoff. Named 'Operation Gardel', the action was planned by the Peronist guerilla organization 'Montoneros'. Near the middle of the runway some 1,100 meters away from the northern end and 1,000 from the southern, a disused sewer led to a storm drain. A cable was laid through the 250 meter tunnel, emerging from the storm drain and connecting the charge to the 12V battery of a parked vehicle. The switch would be activated from a nearby pit.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation in La Rioja

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
International Aerodyne
Registration:
N8021
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami - Asunción - La Rioja
MSN:
4673
YOM:
1957
Location:
La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid
La Rioja
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Miami to La Rioja with an intermediate stop at Asunción Airport. Upon landing at La Rioja-Capitan Vicente Almandos Amonacid Airport, one of the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
An undercarriage failed upon landing.
Final Report:
Subscribe to La Rioja-Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid