Incident Overview
On a flight from Iquique to Santiago, an aircraft transporting 15 passengers and a crew of four executed a landing at Los Cerrillos Airport. During the landing roll, the aircraft banked right, causing the propeller of engine number four to contact the runway surface. The airplane subsequently swerved on the runway. The pilot-in-command attempted to counteract the swerve, but the aircraft departed the runway to the right.
Sequence of Events
After leaving the paved surface, the right main landing gear encountered soft ground and collapsed. The airplane continued until it came to rest in a grassy area. All 19 individuals on board—comprising 15 passengers and four crew members—were evacuated safely from the aircraft. The aircraft itself was assessed as damaged beyond economic repair.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the exact cause of the mislanding could not be established. However, it was noted that the aircraft carried 15 passengers, which was three more than the maximum allowed under its certification. No other causal factors were identified.