Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK on Mt Osorno: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1959 at 1349 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
952
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Santiago – Punta Arenas
MSN:
12976
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mt Osorno
Región de Los Lagos
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route from Santiago to Punta Arenas, the aircraft struck the slope of the volcano Osorno (2,652 meters high). The wreckage was spotted by the crew of a Chilean Army helicopter two days later. All seven occupants were killed in the accident.

Crash of a Caudron C.635 Simoun in Guatemala City

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Caudron C.630/C.635 Simoun
Operator:
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Registration:
F-ANXK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New York - Guatemala City - Punta Arenas
MSN:
7088.15
YOM:
1935
Location:
Guatemala City-La Aurora
Guatemala
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from New York to Punta Arenas, south Chile. While taking off from Guatemala City Airport, the aircraft was unable to gain height, stalled and crashed in a field past the runway end. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, pilot,
André Prévot, pilot.
Probable cause:
The aircraft could not takeoff due to a mistake in the fuel quantity. The crew made confusion between US and British gallons. So, the aircraft was too heavy upon departure and was unable to climb due to a considerable amount of fuel on board.

Crash of a Sikorsky S-43 off Desertores Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Sikorsky S-43
Operator:
Registration:
2
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas
MSN:
4319
YOM:
1936
Location:
Desertores Island
Región de Los Lagos
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The seaplane was on its way from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas, operating the line named 'Línea Experimental Puerto Montt-Magallanes'. While cruising off the Chiloé Islands, the float plane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. Few debris were found on the shores of the Desertores Island but no trace of the occupants was ever found.

Crash of a Junkers R-42 off Punta Arenas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Junkers G.24
Operator:
Registration:
J6
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas
MSN:
928
YOM:
1926
Location:
Punta Arenas
Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While on approach to Punta Arenas, the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in the Strait of Magellan, off Punta Arenas. Both crew and a passenger were killed while three other occupants, among them General Arturo Merino Benítez, were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach.
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