What happened
A charter flight departed from Runway 01 at Puerto Montt-Marcel Marchant (La Paloma) Airport at 10:50 local time, bound for Ayacara. The twin engine airplane was operating with one pilot and five passengers on board. Approximately 36 seconds after departing the runway, the aircraft was in its initial climb phase when the pilot issued an emergency declaration.
During the ascent, the aircraft entered a left-hand turn, subsequently stalling and impacting a residence situated within a residential neighborhood roughly 450 meters beyond the end of the runway. The impact triggered a significant post-crash fire that consumed both the aircraft and the structure. The accident resulted in six fatalities among the occupants of the plane, while one resident of the house sustained injuries.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the primary reason for the accident was the loss of control during flight due to the failure of the right engine caused by fuel exhaustion. Several contributing factors were noted regarding the crew's actions and aircraft configuration:
- The pilot did not complete the required pre-takeoff checklist.
- There was a failure to verify the fuel quantity and the position of the fuel selector switch before engine start.
- During the emergency, the pilot failed to feather the propeller on the number two engine.
- The flaps were not moved to a neutral position during the emergency sequence.
- The aircraft experienced a reduction in airspeed and altitude.
- An increase in the bank angle occurred while performing the left turn.