On December 19, 2013, a Beechcraft 90 King Air (registration CC-CVZ) operated by ATA Aerolineas - Aero Transportes Araucanía was involved in an aviation accident near Viña del Mar, Chile during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Both engines stopped during flight due to fuel exhaustion as the main fuel tanks were empty. It was not possible for the crew to transfer fuel from the auxiliary tanks (wing tips) due to the intermittent function of the fuel pump. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
During a positioning flight, the crew encountered technical problems and returned. On approach at night, both engines failed, the aircraft stalled, and crashed 450 meters short of the runway. Both pilots escaped uninjured. Official probable cause: fuel exhaustion and intermittent fuel pump function.
Accident Description
The crew departed Viña del Mar-Torquemada Airport on a positioning flight destined for Santiago de Chile. Shortly after takeoff, technical problems arose, prompting the crew to decide to return to the departure airport. As the aircraft approached the runway, both engines failed. On short final during night conditions, the aircraft stalled and impacted the ground approximately 450 meters short of runway 05.
Both pilots evacuated without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.
Official Probable Cause
The investigation determined that both engines stopped during flight due to fuel exhaustion, as the main fuel tanks were empty. Additionally, the crew was unable to transfer fuel from the auxiliary tanks located in the wing tips because of the intermittent operation of the fuel pump.