What happened
On September 13, 2025, at approximately 03:30 local time, a Beechcraft C90 was conducting a flight from Puerto Montt Aerodrome (SCTE) toward Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCEL). The flight was carrying two crew members and two passengers. During the transit, the flight crew declared an emergency, citing low fuel levels. In an attempt to reach an alternative destination, the crew initiated an approach to La Independencia Aerodrome (SCRA) in Rancagua. However, the aircraft crashed approximately 2.55 nautical miles southwest of the Rancagua runway, impacting a residential sector in the commune of Olivar.
The impact resulted in three injuries, including one serious injury and two minor injuries among the occupants. The aircraft sustained major damage, requiring the wings to be detached from the fuselage for overland transport to Santiago. The crash also caused damage to local infrastructure, including street lighting, walls, and perimeter fences of nearby homes.
The investigation
DGAC Chile is currently in the preliminary stages of the investigation, focusing on the collection and analysis of available data. The investigation aims to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the emergency declaration and the subsequent impact. Authorities are examining the aircraft's fuel state and the operational decisions made by the crew during the approach to the alternative aerodrome.