Buenos Aires – Bahía Blanca – Trelew

On December 4, 1973 at 03:40 PM, Buenos Aires – Bahía Blanca – Trelew experienced a crash involving BAc 111, operated by Austral Lineas Aéreas, with the event recorded near Bahía Blanca-Comandante Espora Buenos Aires province.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

74 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 74 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 68, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the crew noticed a loss of power on the left engine. The captain decided to land back but the remaining distance was 950 meters only. Unable to stop in time, the airplane struck arresting cables installed for the Douglas A4Q Skyhawk of the Argentinian Navy. Impact caused severe damages to both wings and the airplane came to rest in flames as the fuel tanks were punctured. All 74 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration LV-JNR, MSN 192, year of manufacture 1969.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -38.7350°, -62.1641°.