16 fatalities

Four-Engine Aircraft Strikes Mountain Near Santiago in Poor Weather (131618)

Santiago de Chile, ChileLanding (descent or approach)

On October 6, 1978, a Douglas DC-6 (registration 131618) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Santiago de Chile, Chile during landing or approach. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft carrying 16 people on a military training flight struck a mountain while circling for approach at Santiago-Pudahuel Airport, killing all aboard.

Incident Overview

On a flight from Concepción to Santiago, a four-engine airplane carrying eight passengers and eight crew members was approaching Santiago-Pudahuel Airport. The aircraft was part of 'Operation Unitas', a joint naval training exercise involving the navies of the United States, Peru, and Chile.

Approach and Go-Around

While approaching the airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. In response, the captain initiated a go-around manoeuvre. The aircraft then began circling to set up for another approach.

Collision with Terrain

While circling at an altitude of 2,600 feet, the airplane struck a mountain with an elevation of 3,000 feet. The mountain was located approximately 17 kilometers south of the airport. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and all 16 occupants were killed.

Aftermath

The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or the specific weather conditions were provided in the source.