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Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes into Pacific Ocean After Engine Failure (CC-CEO)

Pacific Ocean, WorldFlight

On October 6, 1972, a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 (registration CC-CEO) operated by Línea Aérea Taxpa was involved in an aviation accident near Pacific Ocean, World in flight. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the engine failure was caused by fuel contaminated by water was not ruled out. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 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 twin-engine charter flight from Santiago to Robinson Crusoe Island reported an engine failure while cruising at 6,000 feet about 330 km west of the Chilean coast, then crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Search and rescue found no trace of the aircraft or its eight occupants.

Flight

The twin-engine aircraft was performing a charter flight from Santiago de Chile to Robinson Crusoe Island, operated on behalf of the Fishing Cooperative of Juan Fernandez. The flight departed from Los Cerrillos Airport in Santiago and made a technical stop at Valparaíso-Rodelillo Airport for refueling.

Accident

While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet approximately 330 kilometers west of the Chilean coast, the pilot informed air traffic control about an engine failure. Strong westerly winds were reported at the time. Shortly after the communication, the aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

Search and Rescue

Search and rescue operations were conducted, but no trace of the aircraft or its eight occupants was ever found. The crew consisted of pilot Germán Acevedo Salas. The passengers were Víctor Duque Martínez, Eulogio Riveros, Carmen Camacho, Mónica Araya, N. Araya, Guillermina N. de Araya, and Varsovia N. de Recabarren.

Official Findings

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty due to lack of evidence. However, the assumption that the engine failure was caused by fuel contaminated by water was not ruled out.

Probable cause

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the engine failure was caused by fuel contaminated by water was not ruled out.
Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

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