Aircraft disappearance in Andes mountains during cargo flight

8 fatalities • Mt Planchón-Peteroa, Chile • Flight

A cargo flight transporting livestock and passengers disappeared while flying through adverse weather near the Chilean-Argentine border.

What happened

A specialized cargo operation traveling from Bogotá to Buenos Aires, with scheduled stops in La Paz and Santiago de Chile, vanished during its transit. The flight was tasked with transporting eight bulls for an exhibition in Argentina, alongside five passengers and three crew members.

During the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions. While navigating through this period of poor visibility, the plane collided with the side of Mt Planchón-Peteroa, a peak reaching an elevation of 4,107 meters. This impact occurred approximately 200 km south of Santiago.

Following the disappearance, search and rescue teams initiated operations to locate the missing vessel and its occupants. However, after several days of searching without any sign of the wreckage or survivors, the mission was officially halted. It was not until 18 November 1966 that the debris from the accident was located.

Findings

The accident resulted in the deaths of all eight occupants. Investigations into the crash concluded that the primary factor leading to the disaster was controlled flight into terrain.

Probable cause

The aircraft crashed into a mountain slope during flight through inclement weather.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1966-07-11 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Mt Planchón-Peteroa, Chile?

A cargo flight transporting livestock and passengers disappeared while flying through adverse weather near the Chilean-Argentine border.

Were there any fatalities in the 1966-07-11 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1966-07-11 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration HK-527, operated by Aeropesca Colombia, at Mt Planchón-Peteroa, Chile.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft crashed into a mountain slope during flight through inclement weather.

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