SF34, en-route, near Caltrauna Argentina, 2011

SF34, en-route, near Caltrauna Argentina, 2011

Summary

On 18 May 2011, a Saab 340 crew attempted to continue a climb to their intended cruising level in significant airframe icing conditions at night before belatedly abandoning the attempt and descending to a lower level but one where their aircraft was nevertheless still rapidly accumulating ice. They were unable to recover control after it stalled and a crash into terrain below followed. The Investigation attributed the accident to lack of crew understanding of the importance of both the detection of and timely and appropriate response to both significant rates of airframe ice accumulation and indications of an impending aerodynamic stall.

Description

On 18 May 2011, the crew of a Saab 340A (LV-CEJ) being operated by Sol Airlines on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Neuquén to Comodoro Rivadavia in night Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) encountered airframe icing of greater severity than expected whilst climbing to the planned cruise altitude of FL190. Despite initiating a descent, the aircraft stalled in continuing icing conditions as they were unable to recover control. The aircraft crashed into the terrain below, caught fire and was destroyed. All 22 occupants were killed.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Argentinean Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Board (JIAAC). The FDR and CVR were both recovered and successfully downloaded and provided data essential to establishing the circumstances which led to the accident.

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