A private Bombardier aircraft has crashed into houses and caught fire after veering off the runway near San Fernando International Airport (FDO) in Buenos Aires, local authorities announced.
On December 18, 2024, a Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft, registered as LV-GOK, took off from Punta del Este International Airport (PDP) at 12:45 local time and reached FDO Airport 34 minutes later, at 13:19 local time, according to the data from FlightRadar24. San Fernando International Airport is located two kilometers southwest of San Fernando, a northwestern suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The aircraft was reportedly unable to stop within the runway’s usual distance while landing, veered off course, and hit nearby buildings. The crash resulted in a large explosion.
“An aircraft registered LV-GOK continued on during landing and went over the perimeter fence of the San Fernando International Airport and crashed into neighboring homes,” the Airport Security Police confirmed in a statement.
Witnesses nearby captured video footage of the crash, showing the aircraft veering off the runway and a large cloud of black smoke rising seconds after the crash.
Así fue el accidente del avión en San Fernando pic.twitter.com/5YrSyAogLJ
— Agencia El Vigía (@AgenciaElVigia) December 18, 2024
The two people onboard the aircraft, the pilot and co-pilot, identified as Martín Fernández Loza, and Agustín Orforte, were killed in the crash. Their remains were discovered in the burning wreckage.
Residents of the affected homes were evacuated, and there were no reported fatalities on the ground. According to local media, three homes were affected, but the damage was only to the exteriors, with no structural issues. Additionally, three parked cars were set on fire due to the crash.
The aircraft is owned by the family of the president of the River Plate soccer club, infobae confirmed on the day of the crash.
An investigation into the cause of the crash was opened.