5 fatalities

Cargo Flight Crashes Near Cochrane; Five Occupants Killed (CC-CAT)

Cochrane, ChileTakeoff (climb)

On July 31, 1981, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration CC-CAT) operated by Linea Aérea de Transporte Interior Sud Americano - LATISA was involved in an aviation accident near Cochrane, Chile during takeoff. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the right engine after rotation for unknown reasons. 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 cargo flight from Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of all five occupants. The right engine failed after rotation for unknown reasons.

Accident Summary

On a cargo flight from Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins, the aircraft was carrying six tons of various goods. After takeoff from Cochrane Airport, during the initial climb, the airplane rolled to the right, lost altitude, and crashed on a small hill located 3 kilometers from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed, and all five occupants were killed.

Flight and Crash

The flight was a cargo transport operation. Following a normal takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft unexpectedly rolled to the right. It was unable to maintain height and subsequently impacted a hill approximately 3 kilometers from the departure airport. The force of the crash destroyed the aircraft.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a failure of the right engine after rotation for unknown reasons.