Private Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Río Negro Province, All Aboard Survive
A harrowing incident unfolded in Argentina’s Río Negro province on Sunday as a private aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing, but thankfully, all three occupants escaped with only minor injuries.
A small plane, a North American Navion with license plate LV-YYYY, experienced a mechanical failure shortly after taking off from the Antoine de Saint Exupéry airfield. The aircraft, carrying a married couple and another crew member, successfully descended into a remote area of dunes and natural vegetation, approximately three kilometers from the intersection of national routes 3 and 251 and provincial route 2.
The occupants – identified as Joaquín Martins, 65, president of the Rosario Aviation Circle and owner of a service station, his wife, 61, and a third individual – had been enjoying the end-of-year holidays in Las Grutas and were en route to Arroyo Seco in the province of Santa Fe when the incident occurred. According to reports, one of the passengers bravely walked several kilometers to a nearby YPF service station to raise the alarm, facilitating a swift response from emergency services.
“The quick reaction of the crew members and the coordinated work of the airport and judicial authorities made it possible to contain the situation and assist those affected,” a senior official stated.
Rapid Response and Medical Evaluation
The forced landing triggered a significant deployment of police officers, volunteer firefighters, and health personnel. The injured individuals were transported to the Aníbal Serra Hospital in San Antonio Oeste for evaluation. Authorities confirmed that the occupants were all lucid and conscious upon receiving assistance, and medical teams ruled out any serious injuries.
The aircraft sustained damage to its wings and fuselage during the descent into the dune field. It is typically stored in a hangar near Rosario and was scheduled to return following the holiday period.
Investigation Underway
The investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure has been entrusted to the Decentralized prosecutor’s office in San Antonio Oeste, alongside relevant aeronautical organizations. The Provincial Police’s Criminalistics cabinet, a police doctor, and airport authorities have been convened, with the anticipated involvement of the National Transportation Safety Board.
“We are working to determine the exact causes of the damage,” a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office confirmed.
The incident brought a sense of relief to the community of Arroyo Seco, as news spread that Martins and his wife had survived the emergency maneuver. Official data collected by local media outlets, including Rio Negro Newspaper and LM Cipolletti, indicate no evidence of criminal activity.
Throughout Sunday, authorities maintained close contact with the head of the San Antonio West airport to coordinate assistance and security measures while experts surveyed the aircraft and analyzed the wreckage. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
