5 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes into Sea Near Chaitén Airport (CC-CIX)

Chaitén, ChileTakeoff (climb)

On March 2, 1998, a Cessna 401 (registration CC-CIX) operated by Aerochaitén was involved in an aviation accident near Chaitén, Chile during takeoff. 5 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into the sea near La Puntilla harbor shortly after takeoff from Chaitén Airport, killing all five occupants. The aircraft was destroyed and reportedly on fire before impact.

Incident Overview and Location Details A twin-engine aircraft experienced a loss of control shortly after departing from Chaitén Airport. The incident occurred during the initial climb phase, resulting in the aircraft crashing into the sea in the vicinity of the La Puntilla harbor. The specific aircraft type, registration, operator, and exact date of the event are not provided in the available source material. ## Casualties and Aircraft Condition All five individuals on board the aircraft were killed in the crash. The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact with the water. Reports indicate that the aircraft was already on fire before it struck the water, with the possibility that an engine fire initiated the blaze. The exact cause of the fire or the loss of control is not specified in the source.