16 fatalities

1969-08-05: Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (17254) — United States Navy - USN — Chile, Chile

Chile, ChileFlight

On August 5, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 17254) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Chile, Chile in flight. 16 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781237278Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departing El Belloto Airbase in Chile disappeared over the Andes while en route to Buenos Aires. Despite search efforts, no trace of the aircraft or its 16 occupants was found.

Incident Overview

An aircraft departed from El Belloto Airbase in Viña del Mar, Chile, with a planned flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The crew made an intermediate stop at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport to obtain international clearance before continuing the journey. While cruising over the Andes Mountain Range, the aircraft disappeared under unknown circumstances.

Communications and Search

The last radio contact with the aircraft was established at 1716 local time. When the airplane failed to arrive in Buenos Aires, search and rescue operations were initiated. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the aircraft or its 16 occupants was ever found.

Investigation Status

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or operator have been disclosed in the official source.