Basler BT-67 LV-VYL goes off the runway in Río Grande (Argentina) and is sidelined for the antartic season: What We Know
Significant damage to the propellers and landing gear leaves the BT-67 grounded as investigators review the causes of the incident.
The Basler BT-67, registration LV-VYL, an aircraft recently incorporated by Mirgor for operations under the Voyal brand, suffered a runway excursion on Monday at Río Grande International Airport during a training flight. There were no injuries.
The incident occurred around midday, during the takeoff roll, after a previous rotation from Ushuaia. The aircraft was being operated by civilian crews composed of former Argentine Air Force pilots, as part of the tourist flight program to Antarctica that the company planned to launch this season.
Images shared on social media and in aviation WhatsApp groups and social media show significant material damage, something indirectly confirmed by the aircraft’s final position in the photographs. None of the three occupants were injured.
In a statement, Mirgor confirmed the runway excursion:
The Basler BT-67 aircraft, recently incorporated into the company's operations, suffered a runway excursion in the city of Río Grande during a pilot training flight. No injuries were reported among the crew or outside the aircraft. The causes of the incident will be determined by the Incident Investigation Board, following the protocols established for any aeronautical event.
A modernized veteran
LV-VYL is conversion number 71 completed by Basler Turbo Conversions. Its airframe is that of a Douglas C-47A Skytrain built in 1944 and later modernized with structural reinforcement, PT6A-67R turboprops, and updated avionics, retaining the robustness of the original DC-3 with performance suitable for cold-weather operations.
The aircraft had completed test flights in Oshkosh and, once in Argentina, underwent its first test campaign at FAdeA in October.
A compromised season start
The runway excursion left the BT-67 out of immediate service, complicating the start of the tourism program to Antarctica. Although the official assessment is still ongoing, the damage to the propellers and landing gear is evident, making it unlikely the aircraft will be used for the remainder of the austral summer.
Until its recoverability is determined, the company will need to evaluate alternatives to sustain its planned operations in the southern region.
