No fatalities

Engine Malfunction and Explosion Lead to Ditching off Llaque Island (CC-CBT)

Puerto Montt, ChileFlight

On February 12, 1970, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration CC-CBT) operated by Aero Aysen was involved in an aviation accident near Puerto Montt, Chile in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine malfunction in flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Approximately 35 minutes into a flight, a left engine malfunctioned. The crew shut it down and feathered the propeller. After adding full power to the right engine, it exploded. The aircraft was ditched off Llaque Island, sank, and crew was rescued.

Incident

About 35 minutes after departure, while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 5,500 feet, the left engine began to malfunction. The crew decided to shut down the affected engine and feather its propeller. To maintain thrust, full power was applied to the right engine. Shortly thereafter, the right engine exploded.

Ditching

Faced with the loss of both engines, the crew opted to ditch the aircraft. The ditching location was off Llaque Island, within the region of Puerto Montt. The aircraft sank after the water landing and was considered lost.

Outcome

The crew successfully evacuated the aircraft and was rescued. No other details about the occupants or injuries were provided in the source. The aircraft itself was not recovered.

Probable cause

Engine malfunction in flight.