Zone

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B in the Andes Mountains: 29 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1972 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-571
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Montevideo - Santiago du Chili
MSN:
572
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
URUGUAY571
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
29
Captain / Total flying hours:
5117
Aircraft flight hours:
792
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Montevideo on a charter flight to Santiago de Chile under callsign Uruguay 571, carrying members of the rugby team 'Old Christians', en route to Chile to take part to a tournament. All passengers were players, supporters and members of their family. While in cruising altitude in marginal weather conditions, the crew encountered altitude turbulences due to the mountain proximity and clouds. Despite the pilot increased full power on both engines, the airplane was unable to maintain a safe altitude when, at a speed of 350 km/h, the right wing struck a rocky ridge and was torn off. Few seconds later, the airplane struck a second ridge, causing the left wing and the tail to be torn off. The aircraft planed for few seconds before it crashed in a snow covered area located at an altitude of 3,900 meters in the Chilean Andes. Few passengers were injured while eight others were killed. Some survivors elected to contact rescuers but the VHF system was out of order. A day after the accident, the pilot of a Chilean Air Force trainer made a pass over the area but failed to sea the wreckage due to clouds. After three days, SAR operations were suspended by the authorities. After 72 days by extreme low temperatures, three survivors walked away and found help in a village. On December 22, 1972, two helicopters of the Chilean Air Force arrived on the scene and were able to evacuate 16 survivors while 29 other occupants died from their injuries, cold or of hunger.

Crash of a Canadair CL-44-6 in Chile: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-JYR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Montevideo – Santiago
MSN:
7
YOM:
1961
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Montevideo-Carrasco Airport on a cargo flight to Santiago-Pudahuel Airport, carrying six crew members and a load of 28 tons of meat. En route, while cruising in poor visibility, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Andes, or in Chile or in Argentina. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was found.

Crash of a Douglas C-47M in the Andes Mountains: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1969
Operator:
Registration:
17254
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Viña del Mar – Santiago – Buenos Aires
MSN:
14184/25629
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed El Belloto Airbase in Viña del Mar, Chile, on a flight to Buenos Aires. The crew made a stop at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport to obtain the international clearance before continuing to Argentina. While cruising over the Andes Mountain Range, the aircraft disappeared in unknown circumstances. The last radio contact was established at 1716LT. As the airplane failed to arrive in Buenos Aires, SAR operations were conducted but no trace of the aircraft nor the 16 occupants was ever found.

Crash of a Douglas B-26C Invader in Chile: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
812
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santiago - Antofagasta
MSN:
7050
YOM:
1941
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a flight from Santiago to Antofagasta. The airplane crashed in a mountainous area, killing both pilots.