Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 644

Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 644 was a scheduled flight operated by the Douglas DC-6, registration LV-ADW, on 19 July 1961 which was due to operate a domestic scheduled passenger service between Ministro Pistarini International Airport and General Enrique Mosconi International Airport, but crashed 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Pardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, half an hour after takeoff, owing to severe turbulence during climb out. This aircraft had been originally named 'Presidente Peron' but by 1956-57 had been renamed 'General San Martin'.[1][2] Some reports stated the aircraft was struck by lightning.[3]

Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 644
A Douglas DC-6 similar to the accident aircraft
Accident
Date19 July 1961
SummarySevere turbulence
Site12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west of Pardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
36°13′58″S 59°30′56″W
Aircraft
Aircraft typeDouglas DC-6
OperatorAerolíneas Argentinas
RegistrationLV-ADW
Flight originMinistro Pistarini International Airport, Buenos Aires, Argentina
DestinationGeneral Enrique Mosconi International Airport, Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina
Passengers60
Crew7
Fatalities67 (all)

According to the investigation, the plane disintegrated en route after the rupture of one its wings following excessive loads in a zone of turbulence. Both the pilot and the company's flight dispatcher contributed to the disaster by misevaluating the weather forecast and choosing an inappropriate flight altitude.[2] All 67 occupants of the aircraft – 7 crew and 60 passengers – were killed in the accident,[4] which remains the deadliest one the company experienced all through its history.[5]

As of 2019, Flight 644 remains the deadliest aviation disaster in Argentine history.[6]

See also

References
  1. Ian Allan publication Civil Aircraft Markings 1957
  2. Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 August 2011.
  3. "1961 ACCIDENT RECORD" (pdf). Flight: 523. 28 September 1961. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  4. Plane crash kills all 67 in Argentina
  5. "Accident record for Aerolineas Argentinas". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  6. Argentina at Aviation Safety Network


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