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

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
823
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Peldehue - Peldehue
MSN:
7040
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a demonstration flight, taking part to the celebrations of the 34th Anniversary of the Chilean Air Force. While approaching at low height in front of 6,000 spectators, the left engine caught fire. The captain modified his route and left the area to attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft lost height. While the captain was able to bail out, both other crew members, the copilot and the flight mechanic, were killed when the airplane crashed in flames in an open field.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire on the left engine.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL near Puerto Aysén: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1963 at 1500 LT
Operator:
Registration:
953
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Coihaique – Pueto Aysén
MSN:
19465
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
While descending to Puerto Aysén on a flight from Coihaique-Teniente Vidal Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Pérez located 42 km from the airport. A passenger was seriously injured while 19 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Punta Arenas

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1962
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CLDM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Punta Arenas – Santiago
MSN:
19383
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff at Punta Arenas Airport. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas TB-26B Invader off Antofagasta: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
838
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Antofagasta - Antofagasta
MSN:
28014
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Antofagasta-Cerro Moreno Airport for a local training mission. In flight, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Pacific Ocean. SAR operations were conducted but no trace of the airplane nor the crew was found.
Crew:
Lt M. Sepúlveda,
1st Lt G. Figueroa,
1st Lt P. Figueroa.

Crash of a Convair CV-340-54 in Vallenar

Date & Time: May 7, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CLCA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
136
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Vallenar, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to feather the propeller and the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field located 5 km north of the airport and came to rest. All 30 occupants were evacuates safely.
Probable cause:
Engine failure. Prop unfeathered.

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

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
833
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
29198
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Antofagasta, killing both crew members, a pilot and a mechanic.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Lake Peñuelas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
560
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Quintero - Quintero
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew left Quintero Airport for a training mission in the region of Valparaiso. In unclear circumstances, the seaplane crashed into the Lake Peñuelas located about 12 km southeast of Valparaiso. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL on Mt La Gotera: 24 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1961 at 2115 LT
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CLDP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Castro – Puerto Montt – Osorno – Temuco – Santiago du Chili
MSN:
9716
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
LA210
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Captain / Total flying hours:
6012
Copilot / Total flying hours:
489
Aircraft flight hours:
18299
Circumstances:
A Douglas DC-3C passenger plane, operated by LAN Chile, was destroyed when it impacted a mountainside near Linares, Chile. LAN flight 621 was a domestic passenger flight from Castro to Santiago with en route stops at Puerto Montt, Osorno and Temuco. On board the flight were eight players and the trainer of the Green Cross football team. The DC-3 took off from Temuco at 18:30 hours local time for the last leg of the flight, following Airway 45 and 40 at an altitude of 8,500 feet. Estimated flying time was 2 hours and 30 minutes. While en route the flight was instructed to climb to 9,500 feet because of other traffic at 8500 feet. At 19:10 the crew requested a descent to 9,000 feet because of ice formation on the wings. The controller didn't authorize the descent because of conflicting traffic (LAN flight 205) on Airway 4. The controller later cleared the flight to turn back on Airway 45 and then descend to 6,500 feet on the same Airway, pass over Curico and to continue on Airway 40 to the Santo Domingo beacon. There was no more radio contact with the flight. After seven days of search operations, the wreckage was found on April 10. The airplane had impacted Cerro La Gotera, a mountain located in a sector of Sierra de las Ánimas, and east-northeast of a hill named Lástimas del Pejerrey. The aircraft was flying in a south-westerly direction, impacting 50 m below the summit of the mountain, at an elevation of about 3,500 m (11,480 feet). The wreckage slid down about 14 meters before coming to rest.
Probable cause:
The aircraft crashed on La Gotera Hill in the Lastima-Pejerrey Range. From the wreckage's position it was determined that the flight was on a south-west heading, although owing to the aircraft's being entirely destroyed and burnt out it was not possible to state its speed or altitude, or whether the left engine had failed. At impact it appeared that the right engine was functioning normally. It was not possible to determine the cause of the accident from the navigation instruments or the wreckage.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Puerto Montt: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
933
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Quellón – Chaitén – Puerto Montt
MSN:
193
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Quellón to Puerto Montt with an intermediate stop at Chaitén, carrying spare parts for another FAC Otter registered 932. While approaching Puerto Montt, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity when the airplane went out of control and crashed. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Belén: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N68823
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Arica – Puerto Suarez
MSN:
26818
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Arica on a cargo flight to Puerto Suarez, overloaded by 1,000 pounds. En route, while overflying the Andes Mountains, the right engine lost power. As the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck stone walls and crashed in flames near Belén. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the failure of the right engine failure could not be determined with certainty. However as a result of it the exhaust valve of the number 10 cylinder had failed from its piston beating against the spark plugs and cylinder head.