L

LAPA (Líneas Aéreas Privadas Argentinas) was an Argentine private airline that operated domestic and some regional routes during the 1990s. It was one of the more prominent low-cost carriers in Argentina during a period of aviation deregulation in the country. The airline became widely known internationally following a tragic accident on August 31, 1999, when LAPA Flight 3142, a Boeing 737-200, crashed during takeoff from Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires, killing 65 people. The accident was attributed to crew error, as the flight crew failed to configure the aircraft properly for takeoff. Following the accident and subsequent investigations, regulatory scrutiny intensified. LAPA ceased operations in the early 2000s amid financial difficulties and the broader economic crisis that affected Argentina around that time.