On May 18, 2012, a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 (registration CC-CGX) operated by Línea Aérea Costa Norte was involved in an aviation accident near El Loa, Chile in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced an unexplained loss of control during its night cruise. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine aircraft disappeared and crashed into the sea during a night fishing survey mission near the Chilean coast, resulting in two fatalities.
What happened
On the evening of May 17, a twin engine aircraft departed from Iquique-General Diego Aracena Airport at 21:15 local time. The flight was operating as a fishing survey and prospection mission over the Pacific Ocean. On board were two pilots, and the aircraft was carrying enough fuel to sustain approximately 7.5 hours of flight time.
During the night portion of the cruise phase, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The plane crashed into the ocean at a location situated roughly 30 km northwest of El Loa. During a search operation the following morning, small amounts of debris were discovered floating on the surface of the water.
Findings
All two occupants of the aircraft were killed in the accident. Investigations into the crash concluded that the primary factor was a loss of control in flight for reasons that remain undetermined.
Probable cause
The aircraft experienced an unexplained loss of control during its night cruise.