Country
Chile

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Valparaiso

Date & Time: Apr 15, 2011 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31 Cheyenne
Operator:
Línea de Aeroservicios - LASSA
Registration:
CC-CZC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Robinson Crusoe Island - Valparaiso
MSN:
31-7920072
YOM:
1979
Location:
Valparaíso
Región de Valparaíso
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7396
Captain / Total hours on type:
1092.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7168
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Robinson Crusoe Island on a cargo flight to Valparaiso, carrying one passenger, one pilot and a load consisting of 1,000 lbs of lobsters. Upon landing at Valparaiso Airport in good weather conditions, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway, crossed a road and came to rest in a wooded area located along the highway. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
The most likely cause of the accident would have been the loss of control of the aircraft when performing the flare, caused by a loss of lift (stall), because the CofG was beyond the rear limit.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The aircraft was unstable on its longitudinal axis because the CofG was too far aft,
- The cargo was not properly secured in the cabin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo on Mt Yerbas Buenas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 2006 at 1135 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Línea de Aeroservicios - LASSA
Registration:
CC-CFK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Serena - La Serena
MSN:
31-607
YOM:
1970
Location:
Mt Yerbas Buenas
Región de Atacama
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4519
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed La Serena-La Florida Airport at 1053LT on a geophysical mission over Domeyko, carrying one passenger and one pilot who were involved in a magnetic prospection mission on behalf of a mining program. Seven minutes after takeoff, the pilot informed ATC about his altitude at 6,500 feet and that he would descend to 500 feet once over the Domeyko area. About half an hour later, the aircraft crashed on the slope of Mt Yerbas Buenas, about 84 km north of La Serena Airport, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found four hours later at an altitude of 1,579 metres. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred after the pilot suffered a loss of situational awareness while flying at low altitude, which did not allow him to avoid the collision with the mountain. Such operation conducted in a single pilot configuration was considered as a contributing factor as the workload was high.
Final Report:
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