}}
}}
On the 6th of June 2012, an [[Air Class Líneas Aéreas]] [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Metroliner]] [[cargo aircraft]] ”’crashed near [[Isla de Flores]], [[Uruguay]] shortly after [[takeoff]]”’ from [[Carrasco International Airport|Montevideo Airport]], while conducting a Freight Flight on behalf of [[DHL]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Avión desapareció tras despegar de Montevideo – Diario EL PAIS – Montevideo – Uruguay |url=http://www.elpais.com.uy/120606/ultmo-645083/ultimomomento/avion-desaparecio-tras-despegar-de-montevideo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620221911/http://www.elpais.com.uy/120606/ultmo-645083/ultimomomento/avion-desaparecio-tras-despegar-de-montevideo/ |archive-date=2012-06-20 |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.elpais.com.uy}}</ref> Both of its occupants perished. It`s wreckage was missing for over a month until a [[Scuba diving|scuba diver]] located it 2km Southwest of the Isla de Flores.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |title=The Aviation Herald |url=https://www.avherald.com/h?article=450c1fee&opt=0 |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.avherald.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.eldia.com |first=Diario El Dia de La Plata |title=Diario El Dia de La Plata www.eldia.com |url=https://www.eldia.com/nota/2017-8-14-6-15-34-el-caso-de-2012-informacion-general |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=www.eldia.com |language=es}}</ref>
On June 2012, an [[Air Class Líneas Aéreas]] [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Metroliner]] [[cargo aircraft]] crashed near [[Isla de Flores]], [[Uruguay]] shortly after [[takeoff]] from [[Carrasco International Airport|Montevideo Airport]], while conducting a Freight Flight on behalf of [[DHL]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Avión desapareció tras despegar de Montevideo – Diario EL PAIS – Montevideo – Uruguay |url=http://www.elpais.com.uy/120606/ultmo-645083/ultimomomento/avion-desaparecio-tras-despegar-de-montevideo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620221911/http://www.elpais.com.uy/120606/ultmo-645083/ultimomomento/avion-desaparecio-tras-despegar-de-montevideo/ |archive-date=2012-06-20 |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.elpais.com.uy}}</ref> Both of its occupants perished. It`s wreckage was missing for over a month until a [[Scuba diving|scuba diver]] located it 2km Southwest of the Isla de Flores.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |title=The Aviation Herald |url=https://www.avherald.com/h?article=450c1fee&opt=0 |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.avherald.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.eldia.com |first=Diario El Dia de La Plata |title=Diario El Dia de La Plata www.eldia.com |url=https://www.eldia.com/nota/2017-8-14-6-15-34-el-caso-de-2012-informacion-general |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=www.eldia.com |language=es}}</ref>
== Aircraft & Crew ==
== Aircraft ==
The Aircraft was a [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III]], [[Aircraft registration|registred]] CX-LAS built in 1982. At the time of the Accident the airframe had a total of 26.158 flight hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CX-LAS – Aero VIP-Air Class (Metro III) |url=https://www.planelogger.com/aircraft/Registration/CX-LAS/749852 |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.planelogger.com |language=en}}</ref>
The Aircraft was a [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III]], [[Aircraft registration|registred]] CX-LAS built in 1982. At the time of the Accident the airframe had a total of 26.158 flight hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CX-LAS – Aero VIP-Air Class (Metro III) |url=https://www.planelogger.com/aircraft/Registration/CX-LAS/749852 |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.planelogger.com |language=en}}</ref>
The flight departed [[Carrasco International Airport|Montevideo Airport]]`s runway 24 at about 19:55 [[UTC−03:00|locat time]]. During it`s climb to flight level 080 (FL80), the flight conducted a Left turn. The Controller contacted the flight, and shortly after the pilots answered that they would change course to the SARGO Waypoint. Just after that exchange, the flight crashed into the waters of the [[Río de la Plata|Rio de la Plata]], killing both Pilots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III CX-LAS, Wednesday 6 June 2012 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/320922 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref><ref name=”:2″>{{Cite web |title=Jueza Larrieu clausuró investigación del accidente aéreo de Air Class en 2012 {{!}} Poder Judicial |url=https://www.poderjudicial.gub.uy/novedades/judiciales/jueza-larrieu-clausuro-investigacion-del-accidente-aereo-de-air-class-en-2012 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.poderjudicial.gub.uy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=El caso Air Class: entrevista |url=https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Noticias/El-caso-Air-Class-entrevista-uc198509 |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=Montevideo Portal |language=es}}</ref>
The flight departed [[Carrasco International Airport|Montevideo Airport]]`s runway 24 at about 19:55 [[UTC−03:00|locat time]]. During it`s climb to flight level 080 (FL80), the flight conducted a Left turn. The Controller contacted the flight, and shortly after the pilots answered that they would change course to the SARGO Waypoint. Just after that exchange, the flight crashed into the waters of the [[Río de la Plata|Rio de la Plata]], killing both Pilots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III CX-LAS, Wednesday 6 June 2012 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/320922 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref><ref name=”:2″>{{Cite web |title=Jueza Larrieu clausuró investigación del accidente aéreo de Air Class en 2012 {{!}} Poder Judicial |url=https://www.poderjudicial.gub.uy/novedades/judiciales/jueza-larrieu-clausuro-investigacion-del-accidente-aereo-de-air-class-en-2012 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.poderjudicial.gub.uy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=El caso Air Class: entrevista |url=https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Noticias/El-caso-Air-Class-entrevista-uc198509 |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=Montevideo Portal |language=es}}</ref>
=== Search for the Flight ===
=== Search for the ===
The [[Uruguayan Air Force]] and [[National Navy of Uruguay|Navy]] started the search for the aircraft after the loss of contact with the flight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uruguay: suspenden la búsqueda del avión desaparecido |url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1479859-desaparece-un-avion-que-volaba-de-montevideo-a-ezeiza |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610020640/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1479859-desaparece-un-avion-que-volaba-de-montevideo-a-ezeiza |archive-date=2012-06-10 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.lanacion.com.ar}}</ref> After multiple weeks, 50% of the search area had been covered, but neither the wreckage nor the pilots had been found. On the 20th of july, 2012 the crash site was found. It was located about 2km southwest of [[Isla de Flores]].<ref name=”:0″ /> The aircraft wreckage covered an area of about 90 meters in Radius, and the aircraft`s black box was retreived for investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-08-20 |title=Comienzan a analizar grabación del Air Class accidentado |url=https://www.subrayado.com.uy/comienzan-analizar-grabacion-del-air-class-accidentado-n15702 |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=subrayado.com.uy |language=es-UY}}</ref> Although most parts of the aircraft were recovered, the bodies of the pilots were never found.<ref>{{Cite web |last=HD |first=Subrayado |title=Encontraron restos del avión Air Class desaparecido en junio |url=http://www.subrayado.com.uy/Site/noticia/14612/hallaron-tren-de-aterrizaje-del-avion-de-air-class-desaparecido |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724015302/http://www.subrayado.com.uy/Site/noticia/14612/hallaron-tren-de-aterrizaje-del-avion-de-air-class-desaparecido |archive-date=2012-07-24 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.subrayado.com.uy}}</ref>
The [[Uruguayan Air Force]] and [[National Navy of Uruguay|Navy]] started the search for the aircraft after the loss of contact with the flight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uruguay: suspenden la búsqueda del avión desaparecido |url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1479859-desaparece-un-avion-que-volaba-de-montevideo-a-ezeiza |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610020640/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1479859-desaparece-un-avion-que-volaba-de-montevideo-a-ezeiza |archive-date=2012-06-10 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.lanacion.com.ar}}</ref> After multiple weeks, 50% of the search area had been covered, but neither the wreckage nor the pilots had been found. On the 20th of july, 2012 the crash site was found. It was located about 2km southwest of [[Isla de Flores]].<ref name=”:0″ /> The aircraft wreckage covered an area of about 90 meters in Radius, and the aircraft`s black box was retreived for investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-08-20 |title=Comienzan a analizar grabación del Air Class accidentado |url=https://www.subrayado.com.uy/comienzan-analizar-grabacion-del-air-class-accidentado-n15702 |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=subrayado.com.uy |language=es-UY}}</ref> Although most parts of the aircraft were recovered, the bodies of the pilots were never found.<ref>{{Cite web |last=HD |first=Subrayado |title=Encontraron restos del avión Air Class desaparecido en junio |url=http://www.subrayado.com.uy/Site/noticia/14612/hallaron-tren-de-aterrizaje-del-avion-de-air-class-desaparecido |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724015302/http://www.subrayado.com.uy/Site/noticia/14612/hallaron-tren-de-aterrizaje-del-avion-de-air-class-desaparecido |archive-date=2012-07-24 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.subrayado.com.uy}}</ref>
== Investigation and Conclusions ==
== Investigation and ==
The Uruguayan [[Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Comission of Uruguay|Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Comission]], part of the [[Ministry of National Defense (Uruguay)|ministry of national defence]], headed the Investigation.<ref name=”:2″ /> According to their report, the aircraft impacted the water at an angle of about 88º nose down at a speed of 1027km/h or about 554 [[Knot (unit)|knots]].<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite book |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/reports/2012/20120606_SW4_CX-LAS.pdf |title=INFORME FINAL No. 541 – AEROVIP S.A. (AIRCLASS) FAIRCHILD SA-227AC CX-LAS |publisher=MINISTERIO DE DEFENSA NACIONAL de URUGUAY – COMISIÓN INVESTIGADORA DE ACCIDENTES E INCIDENTES DE AVIACIÓN (C.I.A.I.A)}}</ref>
The Uruguayan [[Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Comission of Uruguay|Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Comission]], part of the [[Ministry of National Defense (Uruguay)|ministry of national defence]], headed the Investigation.<ref name=”:2″ /> According to their report, the aircraft impacted the water at an angle of about 88º nose down at a speed of 1027km/h or about 554 [[Knot (unit)|knots]].<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite book |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/reports/2012/20120606_SW4_CX-LAS.pdf |title=INFORME FINAL No. 541 – AEROVIP S.A. (AIRCLASS) FAIRCHILD SA-227AC CX-LAS |publisher=MINISTERIO DE DEFENSA NACIONAL de URUGUAY – COMISIÓN INVESTIGADORA DE ACCIDENTES E INCIDENTES DE AVIACIÓN (C.I.A.I.A)}}</ref>
2012 Uruguayan Aviation Accident
On 6 June 2012, an Air Class Líneas Aéreas Fairchild Metroliner cargo aircraft crashed near Isla de Flores, Uruguay shortly after takeoff from Montevideo Airport, while conducting a Freight Flight on behalf of DHL.[1] Both of its occupants perished. It`s wreckage was missing for over a month until a scuba diver located it 2km Southwest of the Isla de Flores.[2][3]
Aircraft and crew
The Aircraft was a Fairchild Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III, registred CX-LAS built in 1982. At the time of the Accident the airframe had a total of 26.158 flight hours.[4]
The Pilots and only occupants in the plane were Capitan Walter Rigo, who had over 16.000 flight hours and first officer Martín Riva, who had 406 flight hours.[5][2]
Accident
The flight departed Montevideo Airport`s runway 24 at about 19:55 locat time. During it`s climb to flight level 080 (FL80), the flight conducted a Left turn. The Controller contacted the flight, and shortly after the pilots answered that they would change course to the SARGO Waypoint. Just after that exchange, the flight crashed into the waters of the Rio de la Plata, killing both Pilots.[6][7][8]
Search for the flight
The Uruguayan Air Force and Navy started the search for the aircraft after the loss of contact with the flight.[9] After multiple weeks, 50% of the search area had been covered, but neither the wreckage nor the pilots had been found. On the 20th of july, 2012 the crash site was found. It was located about 2km southwest of Isla de Flores.[2] The aircraft wreckage covered an area of about 90 meters in Radius, and the aircraft`s black box was retreived for investigation.[10] Although most parts of the aircraft were recovered, the bodies of the pilots were never found.[11]
Investigation and conclusions
The Uruguayan Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Comission, part of the ministry of national defence, headed the Investigation.[7] According to their report, the aircraft impacted the water at an angle of about 88º nose down at a speed of 1027km/h or about 554 knots.[12]
The report mentions that the main contributing factors for the crash were; an omission from the crew of a passage by the Meteorological Office to collect information on the Weather situation, the omission or erroneous execution of some Checklists and the fact that the instruments powered by 115 Volts AC were not energized, which put together make the probable cause of the accident a loss of Control due to erroneous indications from flight instruments, causing loss of situational awarenes of the pilots.[12][13][14]
