Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 644
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires , Argentina |
| Products | Air transport services |
Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 644 was a domestic service scheduled on 19 July 1961, utilizing a Douglas DC-6 aircraft (registration LV-ADW). The route connected Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires with General Enrique Mosconi International Airport in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. Roughly 30 minutes after departure, the airplane crashed near Pardo in Buenos Aires Province, approximately west of the city, as a result of intense turbulence encountered during the climb phase. Initially bearing the name 'Presidente Peron,' the aircraft had been renamed 'General San Martin' by the years 1956-57.
The official inquiry determined that the aircraft broke apart following structural failure of one wing caused by extreme stress from turbulent air. Responsibility was assigned to both the pilot and the airline’s flight dispatcher for inaccurately assessing weather conditions and choosing an unsafe cruising altitude. The tragedy resulted in the loss of all 67 individuals on board—7 crew members and 60 passengers—making it the deadliest accident in the history of Aerolíneas Argentinas.
As of 2025, this incident stands as the most fatal aviation catastrophe recorded in Argentina.
See also
- Aerolíneas Argentinas accidents and incidents
- List of accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft
References
External links
- Articles with short description
- Aviation accidents and incidents in Argentina
- Aerolíneas Argentinas accidents and incidents
- Accidents and incidents involving the Douglas DC-6
- Airliner accidents and incidents caused by weather
- Airliner accidents and incidents caused by pilot error
- Airliner accidents and incidents caused by in-flight structural failure
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 1961
- 1961 meteorology
- July 1961 in South America
- Aviation accidents and incidents caused by clear air turbulence