Disappearance of aircraft flying from Viña del Mar to Buenos Aires

16 fatalities • Chile, Chile • Flight

An aircraft traveling from Chile to Argentina disappeared over the Andes Mountains with no survivors found.

What happened

A flight originating from El Belloto Airbase in Viña del Mar, Chile, vanished while en route to Buenos Aires. The journey included an intermediate stop at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport, where the crew performed procedures to secure international clearance for the subsequent leg of the trip into Argentina.

While navigating the Andes Mountain Range, the aircraft lost all contact with air traffic control. The final communication from the cockpit was recorded at 17:16 local time. Following the failure of the flight to reach its destination in Buenos Aires, search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the wreckage. Despite these efforts, there was no recovery of the plane or any evidence regarding the fate of the 16 fatalities on board.

Findings

No physical evidence of the aircraft has been located since the disappearance occurred.

Probable cause

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined as no wreckage or debris was recovered from the Andes Mountains.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1969-08-05 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Chile, Chile?

An aircraft traveling from Chile to Argentina disappeared over the Andes Mountains with no survivors found.

Were there any fatalities in the 1969-08-05 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 16 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1969-08-05 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration 17254, operated by United States Navy - USN, at Chile, Chile.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined as no wreckage or debris was recovered from the Andes Mountains.

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