What happened
On the evening of May 7, 2025, a Piper PA-3PT was conducting an air ambulance mission, flying from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCEL) toward Chacalluta Aerodrome (SCAR) in Arica. The flight crew, consisting of a captain and a co-pilot, was transporting four passengers when the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions. During the flight, the crew notified Air Traffic Control via radio that the aircraft was experiencing ice formation. Shortly after this transmission, the aircraft disappeared from radar and all radio communications were lost.
Search efforts located the wreckage on May 8, 2025, approximately 6.8 nautical miles northeast of Curacaví, in the Metropolitan Region. The impact was characterized by high energy, and the aircraft was destroyed. All six occupants—the two crew members and four passengers—were killed in the accident.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the wreckage and the flight's final communications. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and was transitioning into night VFR operations at the time of the incident. Meteorological data from the DMC confirmed that the area where the aircraft was flying contained cumulus clouds and active ice formation.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history and the engines, which are Pratt & Whitney PT6-A28 models. While the aircraft was not required to carry flight recorders, the investigation team is currently awaiting specialized inspection reports from the engine manufacturer to further analyze the mechanical state of the powerplants at the time of impact.