Flight Details
Aeroperú Flight 603 was a scheduled passenger service connecting Miami International Airport in Florida, United States, with Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Chile. The route included intermediate stops at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador, and Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. The final leg of the journey, from Lima to Santiago, was operated by a Boeing 757-23A aircraft.
Accident
On October 2, 1996, while flying the Lima–Santiago segment, the aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The accident occurred in darkness over open water. All 70 individuals on board—including passengers and crew—perished, with no survivors.
Initial Response
Search and rescue efforts were launched following the loss of contact with the flight. Wreckage and debris were later located in the ocean. The investigation into the cause of the crash was initiated by Peruvian authorities with assistance from international agencies.
Subsequent Findings
The accident investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of the aircraft. Detailed analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recorders, as well as examination of the wreckage, formed the basis of the inquiry. No official probable cause has been released in the source material.