Argentine F-16 plane returns due to technical failure

An Argentine Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft, registration TC-66, nicknamed 'Polo Sur', made an emergency return to its base following a technical failure during a flight to Brazil. The aircraft departed on February 18, 2026, from El Palomar/Morón Air Base as part of a logistical mission to Denmark to transport spare parts for the F-16 fighter jets recently acquired by Argentina. According to flight tracking, after flying over the southern states of Brazil, the aircraft experienced a malfunction and turned back over the Atlantic Ocean. The crew immediately detected the anomaly, applied the corresponding procedures, and executed a safe landing at 14:34 local time. Argentine Air Force officials confirmed the incident, stating that a definitive diagnosis of the affected engine and associated system, as well as the reprogramming of the mission, are awaited. The aircraft's return has raised concerns within military and aviation circles, given its crucial role in strategic operations, including transport to Antarctica and rescue missions. Footage of the landing revealed that the number one engine was shut down with its propeller in the 'feathered' position, a safety procedure. The incident highlights Argentina's reliance on a limited fleet of heavy transport aircraft for critical missions.