Introduction

Carlos Gardel, the legendary tango singer, met a tragic end in a plane crash between two Ford Trimotor aircraft on June 24, 1935, at 2:51 PM at the Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport in Colombia. Gardel was 47 years old at the time of his death. Alfredo Le Pera and Gardel’s guitarists also died in the crash. While the crash itself was a devastating event, what followed was the beginning of long-standing conspiracy theories, which still persists in some circles today. In this article, we look into the details of Gardel’s final flight, explore the most likely cause of the crash, and take apart some of the conspiracy theories surrounding his untimely death.

The “Tin Goose”

Below is a photo, taken in Medellin, Colombia, on June 24, 1935, the fateful day the plane crashed while carrying Carlos Gardel. The plane was a Ford Tri-Motor Model 5-AT-B, nicknamed the “Tin Goose.”

The Likely Cause: Wind Shear

The official report said that the cause of the crash was wind shear at the end of the runway, and that neither pilot was at fault. Wind shear can be extremely hazardous for aircraft , especially during takeoff and landing. The official report went on to say that wind shear was common during afternoon hours at the “Olaya Herrera” airfield, but usually only lasted a few minutes. Eye-witnesses said the plane carrying Gardel swerved off the runway during takeoff and hit another plane that was taxiing toward the runway. Both planes caught fire. All seven people on the plane were killed and ten of the thirteen people on board Gardel’s plane were killed.

Many Conspiracy Theories

Following the crash, a shocking revelation came out of Carlos Gardel’s autopsy — a bullet was found embedded in his chest. This discovery gave rise to conspiracy theories that a fight broke out on the aircraft, leading to gunshots and an explosion. However, Gardel had been shot twenty years before his death, and the bullet had never been surgically removed. Another variation of this conspiracy theory claims that Gardel and his producer, Le Pera, argued.  Then Le Pera pulled a gun, shot at Gardel, missed him and hit the pilot in the back of the neck. Still another variation has Gardel arguing with the pilot, Ernesto Samper Mendoza, resulting in the crash. The least likely conspiracy says there was a rivalry between the two airline companies that owned the planes involved in the crash.  This resulted in reckless piloting between the two pilots racing to takeoff first.

The Night Gardel Was Shot

To better understand the origins of Gardel’s gunshot wound, we must travel back in time to December 10^th 1915. That night, Francisco Canaro and his orchestra performed at the Palais de Glace.  The Internado, the raucous and notorious dance event organized by medical students at Palais de Glace, had become a yearly event. Gardel planned to celebrate his 25th birthday at the event. At that point in time, Gardel had not yet started on his professional tango singing career.

The Shooting

On that ill-fated night, Gardel attended the event with his friend and actor, Elias Alippi. A hired hitman named Roberto Guevara lay in ambush for Gardel at the venue’s entrance. Guevara fired a shot, striking Gardel in the left side of the chest. The wounded Gardel was rushed to the Ramos Mejía hospital. The attending physician, Dr. Donovan discovered the bullet lodged in Gardel’s left lung, perilously close to his heart. The doctor thought it was too dangerous to remove the bullet, and chose not to extract it. Astonishingly, Gardel made a speedy recovery and embarked on a nationwide tour with his partner, José Pepe Razzano.

A Scandalous Affair and Vengeful Retaliation

The reason behind the shooting of Carlos Gardel can be traced to his affair with Giovanna Ritana, a.k.a. “Madama Ritana.” She was the wife of Juan Garesio, the proprietor of the Cabaret “Chantecler,” where Juan D’Arienzo would later gain fame. Garesio had planned the hit as an act of vengeance against Gardel for his affair with Ritana.

Conclusion: The Unforgettable Legacy

The grudge was forgotten with the passage of time. Despite these events, Carlos Gardel went on to achieve an enduring legacy as one of the most revered figures in Argentine history. His contributions to tango music, the profound impact of his career, and the enigma surrounding his tragic end continue to capture the fascination of people around the world.