Background
The aircraft arrived in the morning from Montevideo-Carrasco. The crew had completed several sorties earlier that morning. Around noon, 13 officers of the Uruguayan Army boarded the aircraft. The crew was tasked with a demonstration flight to prove the aircraft's maneuverability.
Accident
While flying at low height, the aircraft struck a tree and crashed in a huge explosion near the threshold of runway 27.
Casualties
A passenger sustained serious burns, while the other 16 occupants were killed. The injured passenger died from his injuries a few hours later, becoming the 17th fatality. Among the passengers was Colonel Américo Gonzalez, Chief of the Santa Bernardina Airbase.
Crew
- Major William Kern, pilot
- Captain Richard Morris, copilot
- Staff Sergeant José Rivera
- Sergeant Alfred Ford
Passengers
- Colonel Américo Gonzalez
- Major Roberto Dego
- Major Ibes Tinetti
- Captain Heráclio Abelleira
- First Lieutenant Manuel Villamil
- Second Lieutenant Rolando Paller
- Second Lieutenant Dámaso Sosa
- Second Lieutenant Mario Scarzella
- Ensign Ricardo Rodríguez
- Ensign Héctor Angellini
- Ensign Rubén Spinelli
- Ensign José Suárez
- Ensign Rubén Feria