On April 8, 1968, a Douglas C-49 (DC-3) (registration CC-CBM) operated by LADECO Airlines - Línea Aérea del Cobre was involved in an aviation accident near Coyhaique, Chile during landing or approach. 36 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the airplane encountered severe atmospheric turbulences, causing the right wing to detach in flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Flight LCO213, en route from Santiago to Coyhaique, crashed in mountainous terrain 24 km northwest of Coyhaique. All 36 occupants died. The probable cause is severe turbulence leading to right wing separation, though exact cause undetermined.
Accident
Flight LCO213 departed Santiago de Chile and proceeded uneventfully towards Coyhaique-Teniente Vidal Airport. As the crew initiated the descent, the aircraft suddenly went out of control, entered a dive, and crashed in a mountainous area. The wreckage was discovered a few hours later 24 kilometers northwest of Coyhaique, in an uninhabited area. The aircraft was destroyed. All 36 occupants on board were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the exact cause of the accident could not be established with certainty. However, it is believed that the airplane encountered severe atmospheric turbulence, which caused the right wing to detach in flight.
What happened in the 8 Apr 1968 Douglas C-49 (DC-3) accident near Coyhaique, Chile?
Flight LCO213, en route from Santiago to Coyhaique, crashed in mountainous terrain 24 km northwest of Coyhaique. All 36 occupants died. The probable cause is severe turbulence leading to right wing separation, though exact cause undetermined.
Were there any fatalities in the 8 Apr 1968 Douglas C-49 (DC-3) accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 36 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Apr 1968 involved a Douglas C-49 (DC-3), registration CC-CBM, operated by LADECO Airlines - Línea Aérea del Cobre, at Coyhaique, Chile.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the airplane encountered severe atmospheric turbulences, causing the right wing to detach in flight.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…