Four years after Tierra del Fuego sanitary plane tragedy, victim's mother demands trial

Mónica Ferrara, the mother of nurse Denise Torres, is demanding that a trial take place four years after the tragic crash of a sanitary plane in Tierra del Fuego. The incident, which occurred on July 1, 2022, claimed the lives of Denise Torres, 30, pediatrician Diego Ciolfi, and pilots Claudio Canelo and Héctor Vittore.

The Learjet 35A, operated by Flying América and contracted by ADER/MD FLY, was returning from a successful mission to transport a baby and its parents from Buenos Aires. However, during its takeoff for the return journey, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude, plummeted to the ground, and exploded.

Subsequent investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (JST) revealed a critical mechanical failure: a "locking clip," essential for the control system, was missing. This clip had been removed during maintenance years prior and was never reinstalled. Without this safety mechanism, the controls became unresponsive at a crucial moment, leading to the crash.

Ferrara insists the event was not a mere accident, stating, "It was not an accident, because it could have been avoided." Denise Torres was remembered as a dedicated young woman with a profound commitment to service, who transformed personal tragedy into a vocation of helping others. Her aspirations included joining the prestigious Garrahan Hospital, for which she had an entrance exam scheduled for the Monday following the crash.

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It was not an accident, because it could have been avoided.