Aircraft crash during non-precision approach near Viña del Mar

2 fatalities • Viña del Mar, Chile • Landing (descent or approach)

A positioning flight crashed short of the runway during a foggy approach, resulting in the loss of both crew members.

What happened

During a positioning flight from Coquimbo to Viña del Mar, an aircraft was traveling to collect passengers for a transport service to the Los Perlambres mining region. Because the Instrument Landing System (ILS) was unavailable, the crew had to execute a non-precision approach toward runway 05. At the time of the incident, visibility was significantly reduced by heavy fog.

As the aircraft progressed on its final approach, it became unstable. During this phase, the crew descended beneath the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA). This maneuver led to the aircraft striking power lines before crashing into an open field, situated approximately 1.8 km before the runway threshold. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and both fatalities.

Findings

  • The approach was conducted without the use of ILS due to equipment inoperability.
  • The crew descended below the MDA while the aircraft was in an unstable state.
  • Low visibility caused by fog contributed to the difficulty of the approach.

Probable cause

The crew descended below the minimum descent altitude during an unstable non-precision approach in low-visibility conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2013-09-09 Dornier DO228 accident near Viña del Mar, Chile?

A positioning flight crashed short of the runway during a foggy approach, resulting in the loss of both crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 2013-09-09 Dornier DO228 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2013-09-09 involved a Dornier DO228, registration CC-CNW, operated by CorpFlite - Transportes Aéreos Corporativos, at Viña del Mar, Chile.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew descended below the minimum descent altitude during an unstable non-precision approach in low-visibility conditions.

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