Transporte Aéreo Militar de Uruguay - TAMU

Casa 212 Aviocar

The twin engine aircraft departed Port-au-Prince-Toussaint Louverture (ex François Duvalier) Airport on a border patrol mission on behalf of the MINUSTAH, the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti. On board were nine passengers and two pilots, among them Uruguayan and Jordan soldiers. In unknown circumstances, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located some 20 km west of Fonds-Verrettes. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

While descending to Montevideo-Carrasco Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew completed an emergency landing in an open field located 11 km from the airport. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft had the dual registration CX-BJK (civil) and T-581 (military).

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

After takeoff from Artigas, while on a flight to Montevideo with 40 civilian passengers on board, the pilot contacted ATC and reported engine problems. He was cleared to complete a turn to join the approach path when the airplane stalled and crashed in flames. All 44 occupants were killed. The exact cause of the engine problem remains unknown. The airplane had dual military (T-511) and civil (CX-BJH) registrations.

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

While approaching Salto-Nueva Hespérides Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees and crashed in an orange grove located few hundred meters short of runway. Three occupants were injured while 12 others were killed. The airplane had a dual registration T-584 and CX-BJE.

Fairchild-Hiller FH-227

The airplane departed Montevideo on a charter flight to Santiago de Chile under callsign Uruguay 571, carrying members of the rugby team 'Old Christians', en route to Chile to take part to a tournament. All passengers were players, supporters and members of their family. While in cruising altitude in marginal weather conditions, the crew encountered altitude turbulences due to the mountain proximity and clouds. Despite the pilot increased full power on both engines, the airplane was unable to maintain a safe altitude when, at a speed of 350 km/h, the right wing struck a rocky ridge and was torn off. Few seconds later, the airplane struck a second ridge, causing the left wing and the tail to be torn off. The aircraft planed for few seconds before it crashed in a snow covered area located at an altitude of 3,900 meters in the Chilean Andes. Few passengers were injured while eight others were killed. Some survivors elected to contact rescuers but the VHF system was out of order. A day after the accident, the pilot of a Chilean Air Force trainer made a pass over the area but failed to sea the wreckage due to clouds. After three days, SAR operations were suspended by the authorities. After 72 days by extreme low temperatures, three survivors walked away and found help in a village. On December 22, 1972, two helicopters of the Chilean Air Force arrived on the scene and were able to evacuate 16 survivors while 29 other occupants died from their injuries, cold or of hunger.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew completed the landing on a wet runway at Rivera Airport. After touchdown, the airplane suffered aquaplaning, veered off runway and lost its undercarriage before coming to rest. While both occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.