Fatal Crash of a Rans S-9 Chaos Ultralight in Chile

Incident Overview and Location On October 29, 2025, at 17:05 local time, a Rans S-9 Chaos ultralight motorized aircraft (ULM) crashed in the sector of 21 de Mayo, located 5.8 kilometers northwest of the Víctor Lafón Aerodrome (SCSF) in San Felipe, Valparaíso Region, Chile. The aircraft had departed from the aerodrome for a recreational flight. During the flight, it lost altitude and impacted the ground, resulting in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft by fire. ## Aircraft and Engine Details The aircraft was a Rans S-9 Chaos, serial number 1009213, manufactured in 2010. It was powered by a single Rotax 912 ULS engine, serial number 6779444, which had 2,099.4 hours since overhaul. The aircraft was equipped with a two-blade Woodcomp propeller, serial number 2600719, with 500 hours since overhaul. The certified empty weight was 158.8 kg, and the maximum takeoff weight was 304 kg. The aircraft was fueled with 97-octane automotive gasoline, with a maximum fuel capacity of 60 liters. ## Pilot Information The pilot was a 43-year-old Chilean national holding a valid private ULM pilot license with a ULM airplane rating. The pilot was medically fit and had no record of previous accidents. The pilot's total flight hours were not available, as the personal logbook was not found. Security cameras at the aerodrome and the accident site indicated that the pilot had flown for 5 minutes on the day of the accident. ## Investigation and Findings The investigation, conducted by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and Chilean regulations, is in the preliminary stage. The aircraft impacted the ground inverted, with its nose pointing northeast. The fuselage, wings, empennage, and engine sustained significant fire damage. Both wings were fractured at the root, with the left wing support strut remaining attached to the fuselage and wing, while the right wing support strut was fractured. The engine manufacturer, Rotax, provided technical support for the inspection. Rotax stated that its operator's manual strictly prohibits the use of its engines for aerobatics. Technical information recovered from the scene indicated modifications to the lubrication, cooling, and fuel systems, consistent with the modifications found on the aircraft. The final report will include details on the aircraft's load, meteorological conditions, and medical and pathological information.