Zone
Mendoza

Crash of a Convair CV-240-6 in Mendoza

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ADM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
35
YOM:
1948
Location:
Mendoza
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 18 at Mendoza-El Plumerillo, the crew climbed to the altitude of 6,000 feet when the hydraulic pressure on the right engine failed. The crew decided to return to Mendoza for a safe landing but was unable to lower the gear. Shortly later, as a propeller was windmilling, causing drag, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field. The airplane crash landed in a vineyard located few km from the airfield and came to rest. There were no casualties but the airplane was written off.
Probable cause:
The pilot's non-compliance with instructions in the Linea Argentina manual for effecting an emergency landing on account of loss of hydraulic fluid, and error of judgement in deciding on operation with one motor stopped and the hydraulic system out of action, when he had both the height and the time to manoeuvre.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK near Amaná: 25 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1954 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ACX
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mendoza – Córdoba
MSN:
12387
YOM:
1944
Location:
Amaná
La Rioja
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Circumstances:
The aircraft, engaged on a scheduled flight between Mendoza and Córdoba, left Mendoza-El Plumerillo Airport at 1847LT with a crew of 4 and 21 passengers on board. At 2026LT the crew reported that he was diverting to La Rioja Airport as it was impossible to approach Córdoba due to poor weather conditions with heavy turbulences. At 2125Lt the crew reported to ATC about an ETA at La Rioja at 2140LT. Shortly later, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Sierra de Vilgo, near the village of Amaná. The wreckage was found three days later and all 25 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
For reasons which could not be determined the aircraft deviated from the prescribed route and followed a course which led it to crash in mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot-in-command's decision to descend below the minimum altitude specified for weather conditions requiring an instrument approach, contrary to the provisions of the Airline Operations Manual. A probable contributing factor was the probable fatigue of the aircraft crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 615 Viking 1B in Junín

Date & Time: May 14, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viking
Operator:
Registration:
LV-AFL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mendoza – Buenos Aires
MSN:
192
YOM:
1947
Location:
Junín
Mendoza
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 test flight from Mendoza to Buenos Aires-Aeroparque-Jorge Newbury Airport. Enroute, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to divert to Junín Airport. On approach, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a field, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine problems.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-5-DC near Mendoza

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1946 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72552
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mendoza – Santiago de Chile
MSN:
10657
YOM:
1945
Location:
Mendoza
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Mendoza-El Plumerillo Airport, while climbing, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in flames on the slope of Cerro El Pelado located about 30 km northwest of Mendoza. All nine occupants were rescued, seven of them were seriously injured. All crew were members were attached to the American Mission in Panama and were engaged in an equipment delivery mission to all US Embassies in South America.
Photos Policia de Mendoza via Lt Col John Martin, USAF

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Mendoza: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CLC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Humanitarian
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mendoza - San Juan
MSN:
2602
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mendoza
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
At 2052LT on last 15 of January 1944, the Argentinian city of San Juan was hit by an earthquake. The Chilean government was one of the first country to help Argentina and sent one of its team with this Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar of the Chilean National Carrier LAN Chile. The twin engine aircraft was carrying medics, supply and a medical team as well. Shortly after takeoff from Mendoza-El Plumerillo Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All 11 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Eduardo Lazo Preuss, pilot,
Eduardo von Bischoffeshausen, copilot,
Fernando Mella Ulloa, engineer.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-118A near San Luis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-2
Operator:
Registration:
NC14298
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mendoza – Córdoba
MSN:
1370
YOM:
1935
Location:
San Luis
San Luis
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight from Mendoza to Córdoba, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility due to fog. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a hilly terrain located 32 km north of San Luis, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed and the aircraft named 'Santa Elena' was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Crash of a Junkers F.13 in Mendoza

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Junkers F.13
Operator:
Registration:
101
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mendoza - Mendoza
MSN:
710
YOM:
1924
Location:
Mendoza
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed for unknown reasons while taking off from Mendoza Airport on a local training flight. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Fairchild FC-2W2 on Mt Pelado: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1933 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild FC-2
Operator:
Registration:
NC9723
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mendoza – Santiago de Chile
MSN:
527
YOM:
1929
Location:
Mt Pelado
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Mendoza Airport at 0945LT on a cargo flight to Santiago de Chile. About 15 minutes later, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Pelado located some 25 km northwest of Mendoza. The airplane was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Mr. McMillan,
Mr. Drymond.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Ford 5 in El Plomo: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1932 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ford 5
Operator:
Registration:
NC403H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Santiago – Mendoza – Buenos Aires
MSN:
5-AT-063
YOM:
1929
Location:
El Plomo
Región Metropolitana de Santiago
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While cruising in bad weather conditions east of Santiago de Chile over the Andes Mountains, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility due to heavy snow falls. The aircraft impacted a mountain slope and crashed near El Plomo. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the 9 occupants was found. Twenty months later, in March 1934, ramblers discovered the wreckage in an uninhabited area. The aircraft was named 'San José'.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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