Punta Arenas – Puerto Montt – Santiago
Flight / Schedule
Punta Arenas – Puerto Montt – Santiago
Aircraft
Douglas DC-6Registration
989
MSN
45534/1012
Year of Manufacture
1958
Date
July 24, 1977 at 07:00 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Puerto Montt-El Tepual Región de Los Lagos
Region
South America • Chile
Coordinates
-41.4286°, -73.0731°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 24, 1977 at 07:00 PM, Punta Arenas – Puerto Montt – Santiago experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-6, operated by Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile, with the event recorded near Puerto Montt-El Tepual Región de Los Lagos.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
82 people were known to be on board, 38 fatalities were recorded, 44 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 46.3%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 75, passenger fatalities: 31, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On approach to Puerto Montt-El Tepual Airport, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions with rain falls and a limited visibility due to the night. In unknown circumstances, the four engine airplane crashed in flames in a swampy area located five km short of runway. All seven crew members and 31 passengers were killed while 44 other occupants were injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration 989, MSN 45534/1012, year of manufacture 1958.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -41.4286°, -73.0731°.
Fatalities
Total
38
Crew
7
Passengers
31
Other
0
Crash Summary
On approach to Puerto Montt-El Tepual Airport, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions with rain falls and a limited visibility due to the night. In unknown circumstances, the four engine airplane crashed in flames in a swampy area located five km short of runway. All seven crew members and 31 passengers were killed while 44 other occupants were injured.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
75
Estimated Survivors
44
Fatality Rate
46.3%
Known people on board: 82
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Punta Arenas – Puerto Montt – Santiago
Flight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
South America • Chile
Aircraft Details
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