21 dead in Chile plane crash

[Capetonian]

BBC News - Chile air force plane disappears over Pacific (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14772608)

Chile air force plane disappears over Pacific
Breaking news

A Chilean air force plane has disappeared over the Pacific Ocean on its way to the remote Juan Fernandez islands, military officials have said.

Local media said there were 21 people on board the aircraft.

The mayor of the islands, Leopoldo Gonzalez, said weather conditions were rough and windy, and remains of the plane had been seen in the water.

Media reports say a TV crew was on the plane, including well-known presenter Felipe Camiroaga.

Chilean Defence Minister Andres Allamand said the Casa-212 military plane had tried twice to land unsuccessfully at Juan Fernandez island airport, 830 km (515 miles) from the country's coast, before it went missing, Reuters reports.

Mr Gonzalez said rescue boats have been searching for the wreckage, but have so far found only some suitcases.

[MountainBear]

Four bodies found after Chile plane crash - World news - Americas - msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44380268/ns/world_news-americas/)

Didn't see see this posted.

[The Ancient Geek]

Not sure where this thread really belongs, in Chile the Air Farce operates scheduled civilian airline services.
Their safety record is a bit dubious but the local terrain and weather are probably a factor.

[aterpster]

No instrument approach at that airport.

[Hotel Tango]

It was posted but moved to the military forum.

[viking737]

Was there an alternate airport?

[jamesdevice]

the islands are 600km+ off the coast of Chile. The islands were stormbound. Any alternate airfield would presumably suffer the same weather conditions.
Your question should be whether they had enough fuel to abort and go back

[The Ancient Geek]

The islands are 830km from the coast so with 21 PAX and luggage there is no way they could carry enough fuel to return to the mainland and I doubt if they were equiped for inflight refueling.
It is entirely possible that they ran out of fuel while stooging around waiting for the weather to improve after 2 failed approaches.
What was their alternate on the flight plan ? Did they even have a viable alternate ?

[jamesdevice]

no other airfields marked on Google Earth on any of the three islands. From the reports it appears they were trying to land on Robinson Crusoe Island, the nearest to the mainland (~450 miles). Alexander Selkirk Island is another 150 miles or so further west.


PS Just found this on Wikidpeadia
There is a small, 2900-ft (885 m)-long airstrip (ICAO airport code: SCIR) in the southwestern part of the island, the only reasonable flat part of Robinson Crusoe. Operations are mostly centered in twin-engine, seven-seat light airplanes, with very limited baggage capabilities

Map (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?t=h&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.66689,-78.929772&spn=0.028645,0.027723&z=15&vpsrc=6&source=embed) Grim looking place

This page gives details of the runway and states the nearest airfield is 383 miles away
Pilot information for Robinson Crusoe Airport @ OurAirports (http://www.ourairports.com/airports/SCIR/pilot-info.html)

[Machaca]

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n385/motidog/SCIR1.jpg


ATERRIZAJE ISLA ROBINSON CRUSOE - YouTube

[aterpster]

An ideal operation for a Kingair 350. It can take enough fuel to hold for a couple of hours then return to the mainland if necessary.

Seems like an LNAV IAP would be a good plan as well.

[MountainBear]

Chile Military Plane Crashes in Pacific Ocean, Killing 21 - Businessweek (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-03/chile-military-plane-crashes-in-pacific-ocean-killing-21.html)

The plane apparently ran out of fuel as strong crosswinds prevented it from landing on the island’s 1 kilometer-long airstrip, air force chief Gen. Jorge Rojas said.

That seems quite the leap at this stage of the investigation.

[Machaca]

CASA C-212-400 Aviocar

Flight plan: 2:30 flight, 3:40 fuel

Weather at SCIR good, ceiling 3000 feet

Two approaches attempted, abandoned due to difficult winds

Last contact after 3 hours in the air

Aircraft debris and clothing found 1 - 2 km from shore

4 bodies found (now identified) in Bahia Villagra, 3km from SCIR

[wishmaker]

no inflight refueling for this a/c my friend
it's a pity

[wishmaker]

for those 21 souls
Godspeed and rest in peace ladies and gents.

[wishmaker]

La heroica Carolina Fernández, piloto del avión siniestrado | fmquiero (http://www.cncmedios.cl/fmquiero/2011/09/03/la-heroica-historia-de-carolina-fernandez-piloto-del-avion-siniestrado/)

follow this link if you want to read something in spanish about Pilot in Command and her background

[Bubblewindow]

I was shocked when I heard this on the news. Initially no specific type or crash details were given and knowing the Chileans operate similar aircraft to my Sqn I immediately rang in to see if we were issued a Technical Bulletin.

Turns out it wasn't the same type and it was WX related. A relief to us but still a terrible tragedy. It's a pretty small aircraft to carry 21 people including a TV camera crew and gear though the specs allow it to carry more!!

May they RIP.

BW

[The Ancient Geek]

Whoever authorised this flight should be shot.

Sh*t or bust operation with insufficient fuel to reach any viable alternate for diversion.

What were they thinking ?. Did they even have a weather report before departure ?.

[Tourist]

Ancient Geek

How about you wait before shooting your mouth off like a tw@t.
You know nothing about it. Not everywhere has a diversion.

[jamesdevice]

this is the google translation of the pilot pofile wishmaker linked to above
Google Translate (http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cncmedios.cl%2Ffmquiero%2F2011%2F09%2F03% 2Fla-heroica-historia-de-carolina-fernandez-piloto-del-avion-siniestrado%2F)

It was clearly not the first time she had flown the route

[The Ancient Geek]

How about you wait before shooting your mouth off like a tw@t.
You know nothing about it. Not everywhere has a diversion.

This was a civil airline operation.:ugh: If an airforce wants to operate a civil airline it should obey civil airline standards. Sufficient fuel to reach an alternate plus at least an hour is a fundamental requirement.

[MFC_Fly]

The plane apparently ran out of fuel as strong crosswinds prevented it from landing on the island’s 1 kilometer-long airstrip, air force chief Gen. Jorge Rojas said.That seems quite the leap at this stage of the investigation.Why?

I am sure that the pilot was talking to those on the ground at the airfield, the cross-wind problem would have been obvious (especially if 2 failed landing attempts had been made, as reported in this thread) and the fuel load is known.

It is VERY likely that the pilot informed the ground station that the aircraft was low on, or out of, fuel and what the intentions (attempt to ditch?) were.

[jamesdevice]

Is there an aircraft which could have landed on that 860 metre strip, carried that number of people, and complied with the fuel requirement for diversion?
Note that if you overrun the strip you end up going over a 130 metre cliff into the sea

[jamesdevice]

more on the pilot at
Carolina Fernández Quinteros: One of Chile (http://ilovechile.cl/2011/09/04/carolina-fernandez-quinteros-chiles-pilots/29858)

[Trim Stab]

Sufficient fuel to reach an alternate plus at least an hour is a fundamental requirement.


That's not true. There is provision even in ultra-cautious EU/OPS regulations to operate into isolated aerodromes without an alternate. It requires higher weather minimums and supplementary fuel. Section 1.297(b) if you want to look it up.

The Chileans no doubt have their own regulations, and indeed probably have more experience of operating into isolated aerodromes than most EU regulators anyway, given their long experience of operating to their isolated pacific territories.

There is nothing wrong or irresponsible with operating into an isolated aerodrome as long as accurate weather forecasts are available.

Interestingly though, even EU/OPS regulations for operating into isolated aerodromes do not have any requirements for maximimum wind limits (only visibility & cloud base are defined). It is probable that Chilean regulations are derived or are closely analagous to EU/OPS and US regulations, so maybe there is a lesson in there.

[MountainBear]

It is VERY likely that the pilot informed the ground station that the aircraft was low on, or out of, fuel and what the intentions (attempt to ditch?) were. How many times have were heard on this forum this type of chest thumping only for everyone to be absolutely wrong once the final report is released. Your very words are the definition of logic based upon the most dubious assumptions.

Besides, I'm highly skeptical of the idea that there was a decision to ditch. While I have never flown there it seem to me that in this isolated location I'd rather take my chances with the wind than bury the plane in the sea. I recognize that this is a "damned if you do damned if you don't" decision. But I think it's a huge assumption to make that landing on the waves would have been the better choice.

I think the much more likely situation is that she made a mistake calculating the fuel left and was either near or on her last approach when it ran out of fuel and crashed. I'm talking out of my ass, of course, but no more than Senor General.

edit: and then there is this gem:

Initial speculation, based on observations of a single eyewitness, indicates that the crash resulted from a fault in the plane’s hydraulics, a fault so great that not even the skills or noteworthy determination of Lt. Fernández could save its passengers from their fateFrom the article above.

[TowerDog]

Wonder what the cross wind limits and minimum approach speed for a Casa 212 is..?
Given enough cross wind, one could almost land across the runway if flying a near STOL plane.

The news clip above however states the crash was caused by an hydraulic failure

Initial speculation, based on observations of a single eyewitness, indicates that the crash resulted from a fault in the plane’s hydraulics, a fault so great that not even the skills or noteworthy determination of Lt. Fernández could save its passengers from their fate.



:sad:

[jamesdevice]

the conspiracy theorists are out as well.... with a few web postings noting how "convenient" it is that a whole TV team which were highly critical of the Chilean governments support for the islands following a major tsumani, should all be lost together
Probably utter bollocks, but it does make the case that there is more than one possible cause
Another point is that reports seem to suggest she was in radio contact with the mainland when comms were lost: not with the island


The Spanish language version of Wikidepaedia at
Google Translate (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accidente_del_C-212_Aviocar_de_la_Fuerza_A%25C3%25A9rea_de_Chile&ei=l8djTvOhC5PG8QPBuMGwCg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CGwQ7gEwCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCarolina%2BFern%25C3%25A1ndez%2BQuinteros%26hl% 3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Dw1x%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divnsuo)
currently says (in translations):
"The plane attempted to land at the airport twice, but strong winds prevented a landing. The device did not have enough fuel to return to the mainland and according to the excessive time of flight to the island made ​​(due to strong head wind during the trip), had few extra minutes of flight. "

[papapapahotel]

There is only one paved airstrip, 0.66 miles long (1000 meter) in the island
There are no alternative airstrips anywhere near
There is no radio communications with ground or control tower in the airstrip
There was only one person awaiting for the plane at the airstrip on the ocassion. (Only witness)
Two other similar planes had landed successfully before the accident.
The plane made two attempts at landing, then aborted due to strong cross winds.

No cause for the accident has been determined.

[wishmaker]

I agree with you Sir Mr. Papapapahotel:

No cause for the accident has been determined.

But, the plane had no enough fuel to return to Santiago anyway.

[jamesdevice]

OK, so lets summarise.
The aircraft was heavily laden.
It was impossible for the aircraft to carry enough fuel to make a diversion or return.
Fuel consumption was probably heavier than expected due to strong headwinds.
The airfield has no landing aids or radio.
As there is no radio, there is no way the pilot could have been informed of weather conditions at the airstrip. However thie strong cross wind which prevented the landing could have been deduced from the strong head winds, but the flight went ahead anyway.
There was only one person at the airfield awaiting them, so by implication, no rescue / fire team. So in a crash landing they're on their own.
If they overshoot the runway they go over a 130 metre cliff into the sea.
If they ditch, the only chance of rescue is if a fishing boat happens to be near



Notwithstanding the fact that this pilot had previously flown this route with similar aircraft, it seems to me that the chances of this becoming a one-way trip seem far too high.

[Trim Stab]

There was nothing foolish or reckless about the flight. Just because the aircraft crashed does not prove that the flight was risky. Indeed, as I mentioned earlier, it could probably have been undertaken even under EU/OPS regulations.

There would be many communities around the world cut off from the outside world if it were not for some pilots, operators and regulators who were not prepared to shoulder a small, calculated and managed risk to fly to isolated airstrips.

[The Ancient Geek]

This is beginning to sound like a communications issue.

They were talking to ATC on the mainland and could have been turned around while there was sufficient fuel. That could have happened if ATC had any way of knowing the current weather on the island.

So, who knew about the worsening weather and did they realise the implications.

[Trim Stab]

So, who knew about the worsening weather and did they realise the implications.

I haven't seen any evidence that the conditions worsened during the flight. The captain may have been fully aware of the likely wind conditions on arrival before she took off.

If visibility and cloud-base are below regulatory minimums, it is easy for the Captain to cancel the flight by pointing to the rule book. However, there are no regulations about maximum wind (in EU/OPS anyway) and most aircraft have no certified wind limits (only a maximum demonstrated crosswind). A captain thus has to use judgement, rather than the rule-book, to cancel a flight due to forecast wind conditions. Whenever there is a judgement call, human factors immediately come into play. It is easier for an experienced gnarly old captain to make the call to cancel a flight due to difficult forecasted wind conditions - nobody would question his judgement. However, it is much harder for a young (26) and inexperienced (1000 hours) pilot to make the call to cancel a flight because of wind forecasts.

Having said that, who said the crash was caused by the wind? Could have been any number of other reasons.

[Ant T]

Is there an aircraft which could have landed on that 860 metre strip, carried that number of people, and complied with the fuel requirement for diversion?

Yes -
Dash 7 - my last job was with British Antarctic Survey - our regular route was Falkland Islands to our base on the Antarctic Peninsula, 1000 nm with the nearest alternate a further 400nm. If the weather was not suitable at the alternate (i.e. normally....) we could do it PNR (the last hour of the flight was usually committed).
The runway at our base was 900m of gravel (800 or even less would have done....)
The aircraft had long-range tanks (Standard factory option, not a special installation) - we could only carry about 12 people over that range though (in a 50-seater)

(Apologies for thread drift)

[jamesdevice]

the crash may not have been caused by the wind, but the two failed attempts at landing WERE due to the wind. If the aircraft hand landed on one of those attempts, it could not have crashed.
Following on from Trim Stab's comments re age / experience. I also wonder if she felt under any pressure to complete the trip simply due to her sex.
Thats not intended as an insult to her: merely a question as to what kind of peer pressure she was under as female pilot in a machismo oriented society.

[dusk2dawn]

3 links to CNN Chile videos of an interview with Cmdr. Nicolas Vidal from the company "Inaer" and then some text - also from CNN Chile and all in spanish - but what.. Finally a translation (could be better) by Google in the end :

CNN - CHILE : NACIONAL (http://www.cnnchile.com/nacional/2011/09/06/habia-condicion-meteorologica-no-favorable-pero-tampoco-podemos-decir-que-mala/)

CNN - CHILE : NACIONAL (http://www.cnnchile.com/nacional/2011/09/06/el-casa-tuvo-que-tener-peores-condiciones/)

CNN - CHILE : NACIONAL (http://www.cnnchile.com/nacional/2011/09/06/el-viento-no-voto-ese-avion/)


Tras el impacto del accidente en el archipiélago de Juan Fernández, son muchas las teorías que salen a la luz para dar explicación a esta tragedia. La ruta y las condiciones meteorológicas son algunas de las dudas que se presentan a hacer estos análisis. En entrevista con CNN Chile el piloto comercial de la empresa Inaer y quien habría volado en la isla antes del CASA 212, Nicolás Vidal, nos explica los detalles de los detalles del vuelo.

"Nosotros tenemos un centro de operaciones que el día anterior nos habían confirmado que íbamos al archipiélago. Con nuestra experiencia de vuelo, la 8:30 nos parecía exagerado, porque hay que tener una tendencia meteorológica en la isla y las primeras informaciones se saben a las 8:30. Con la tecnología de hoy el día anterior se sabe, pero hay variaciones", señaló Vidal.

"Esperamos una hora más, porque en Juan Fernández había condición meteorológica no favorable, pero tampoco podemos decir que mala", dijo.

En cuanto a los últimos informes de fuertes vientos en la costa Vidal señaló que "la información que se utiliza es una mezclada. Además, al aproximarse a Juan Fernández ya sabía cuáles eran las condiciones meteorológicas y cómo debía aterrizar.

Pasado el medio día del viernes el piloto de Inaer Nicolás Vidal, aterrizó en Juan Fernández. El piloto nos explicó que en la isla no hay torre de control, pero si sistemas de mangas que indican las condiciones para aterrizar.

Vidal señaló que el aterrizaje que realizó durante esa jornada tuvo dificultades, pero que las habilidades de un piloto profesional dan la posibilidad para efectuar este tipo de maniobras sin problemas.

En cuanto a la situación del CASA 212 "sin ser operario de este tipo de nave, este avión no va y vuelve por ningún motivo. El CASA tuvo que tener peores condiciones", señaló Vidal.

"Para un piloto entrenado, el viento un tema, pero si no está en un área confinada, donde pasas una bahía hasta otra bahía, el avión está en una zona cómoda. El viento no votó ese avión", señaló el piloto de Inaer, Nicolás Vidal.

"Yo creo que la Fuerza Aérea prepara bien a sus pilotos, lo que si es que no hayan tenido la experiencia en esa zona. Lo que encuentro más grave es que esté haciendo la Fuerza Aérea haciendo este trabajo con civiles en misiones militares y con características militares. No creo que los civiles sabían que estaban en un avión con punto de no retorno", señaló el piloto.

* * *

After the impact of the accident in the Juan Fernandez archipelago, there are many theories come to light to give an explanation for this tragedy. The road and weather conditions are some of the questions presented to these tests. In an interview with CNN Chile, the company's commercial pilot who had flown Inaer and on the island before the CASA 212, Nicolas Vidal, explains the details of the flight details.

"We have an operations center the day before that we had confirmed the archipelago. With our experience of flight, the 8:30 it seemed exaggerated, it must be a weather trend on the island and the first reports are known to 8:30. With the technology today is known the day before, but there are variations, "said Vidal.

"We waited an hour, for at Juan Fernandez had unfavorable weather conditions, but we can say that bad," he said.

As for recent reports of strong winds on the coast Vidal noted that "the information used is a mixture. In addition, approaching Juan Fernandez knew what the weather and how it should land.

In the afternoon of Friday driver Nicolas Vidal Inaer landed at Juan Fernandez. The pilot explained that the island there is no control tower, but if hose systems that indicate the conditions for landing.

Vidal said the landing was made at that time difficulties, but the skills of a professional driver gives the possibility to perform such maneuvers smoothly.

Regarding the situation of the CASA 212 "without operator of this type of ship, the aircraft will not and returns for any reason. The house had to be worse," said Vidal.

"For a trained pilot, the wind issue, but if you are in a confined area, where you spend one bay to another bay, the aircraft is in a comfort zone. The wind did not vote on that plane," said pilot Inaer, Nicolas Vidal.

"I think the Air Force well prepared their drivers, so if you have not had experience in that area. What I find worst is that is making the Air Force doing this work with civilians in military missions and features military. I do not think that civilians knew they were on a plane with the point of no return, "said the pilot.

[Trim Stab]

Interesting observations by the INAER pilot in the interview. The transcript is not accurate and the translation pythonesque - eg CASA=>house!

To summarise:

Interview 1: Conditions were forecasted to be bad at 0830, INAER pilot delayed flight, but then undertook the flight later in the day and carried out the flight succesfully shortly before the accident. There were some strong crosswinds, but not outside the limits of a well-trained and current pilot. The observed conditions were not exactly as forecasted, but not significantly different either.

Interview 2: Conditions were within capability of CASA 212. Some discussion of cross-wind landing techniques.

Interview 3: Discussion of capabilities of the deceased pilot. INAER pilot very diplomatic - refuses to criticise competence or training of the pilot, admits she was not particularly experienced. Reserves criticism that the military should be allowed to carry civilians, as the military fly to different safety regulations - particularly regarding reserves and point-of-no-return.

There may be a hidden agenda here as Chilean Air Force are competitors to INAER for public transport in Chile...

[wishmaker]

Mr. Trim Tab
many countries around the world have their AFs flying around, doing carrying pax and cargo to and from several destinations, others do not matter.
sometimes, somebody lost the bid and every body start to judge the thing.
¿¿why are air force xx carrying people w/o inssurance. ??
sometimes civilians and gob agencies, used to ride with the AFs simply because is for free, and they simply do not ask...
I agree, they possibly they did not know about bingo point. They didn't matter.
What happen "the morning after", the relatives ask for responsabilities, and claim for a head to be cut off.
And, one can only imagine that, she (the pilot) had a lot of cargo, pax and crew to carry to the island, she had the wc abl and fuel on the island, then, as her regulations permits, took off and something happen.....
C-212 is a good plane, and Lt. Fernandez, a good pilot. Something went wrong.

[TowerDog]

Some years ago a Casa 212 crashed on short final in Puerto Rico.
I seem to remember the cause of the accident was that one of the props went into reverse.

Wonder if this aircraft has a flight or cockpit voice recorder..?

[Trim Stab]

the crash may not have been caused by the wind, but the two failed attempts at landing WERE due to the wind. If the aircraft hand landed on one of those attempts, it could not have crashed.



I'm not sure that they made any attempt to land. If you watch the interview with the INAER pilot, you will see a sketch map in the background of the route taken by the aircraft. It circles the runway a couple of times - presumably observing the windsock - then crashes at about downwind leg for runway 32. The trace doesn't show any attempt at an approach or go-around.

The interview doesn't give the source of the trace - so it may not be accurate. But the crash position would be about where one would expect a configuration change such as flaps or gear down.

[Fareastdriver]

When were the fuel guages last calibrated?

[FGC]

I doubt fuel gauge calibration would have been an issue. With 21 pax, to remain within the MTOW of 7700kg, the captain would have just filled the main (inboard) tanks, 700li each which gives just under 4 hours' endurance at a reasonable altitude/power setting, so she should of had a very good idea of her fuel situation
Casa 212 max demonstrated crosswind limitation is 20 knots, but not a limiting factor of course. What was the actual crosswind that day?

[Trim Stab]

What was the actual crosswind that day?

The INAER pilot said in the first interview (about 6:25) that when he landed earlier in the day wind was 30-50 knots variable, with strong gusts, and cloud base 400-500 metres. Not conditions that would be beyond the capability of an aircraft like a CASA 212.

[I Smoke Marlboros]

Some insight for you, people.

-The plane had not enough fuel to return and was heavily loaded.
-Aerodynamically, it wasnt good for crosswinds. It has a square fuselage and a high wing.
- Around 500 CASA 212 built, around 100 accidents. 20% ended in accident.
-Its a bad plane for ditchign, due to fixed gear. (As main gear contacts water, the plane will pitch down violently and the forward part will crash on the sea)
-That strip was the only one in the area.
-Chilean regulations for civil flights demand a viable alternate when flying to that AD, however this does not apply to military flights. As a matter of fact the chilean AF asks you to sign a waver of responsibility if ur a civillian flying with them.
- It was the pilots 2nd or 3d trip to that island
-There is no ATC nor AFIS or met reports. As a matter of fact the only witness was the major of the island waiting for them.
-Another plane had already landed that day a few hours before. Civillian op.
- It is said no fuel was found floating over the water (less density) some suggest starvation.
-Airplane pieces found yet are of small dimensions, suggesting a violent impact. No engines found yet, only landing gear piece.

Thats all I know for now. Ill keep you informed.

[Fareastdriver]

I mentioned fuel guage calibration because of possible inaccuracies at the bottom of the scale. She may well have thought she had enough fuel for another attempt but it all went quiet with 50 kgs indicated.
Again there may not have been any water checks for a long time so there was 50kgs of water in the bottom.

[Machaca]

Minister of Defense Andres Allamand stated that the degree of fragmentation seen in the images confirm that it was "a brutal impact." Only the fragments most necessary for the investigation will be retrieved.

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n385/motidog/SCIR-019.jpg


http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n385/motidog/SCIR-020.jpg


http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n385/motidog/SCIR-021.jpg

[Fareastdriver]

The propellors suggest, and I emphasis suggest, that the aircraft was out of fuel at impact.

[Trim Stab]

That photo can't have been taken in more than about 5m, judging by the viz, bottom conditions (sand, rippled), and ambient light. Doesn't really fit with the position of impact on the sketch map.

[Machaca]

fareastdriver:
The propellors suggest, and I emphasis suggest, that the aircraft was out of fuel at impact.

How exactly does the evidence suggest such?

[Machaca]

La Tercera reported Sept 5th (http://diario.latercera.com/2011/09/05/01/contenido/pais/31-82591-9-piloto-fue-avisada-de-viento-cruzado-antes-de-intentar-aterrizar.shtml):

Pilot was warned of "crosswind" before attempting to land

GDAC weather observer informed the Lieutenant Carolina Fernandez about the conditions for landing.


"Affirmative, is received." This was the last communication from Lieutenant Fernández Carolina from the Casa 212 aircraft on Friday near Juan Fernandez, before the aircraft disappeared and crashed into the sea, leaving its 21 passengers dead and shocked the nation.

The words of the officer, who was piloting the aircraft, respond to information provided by the weather observer for the Department of Civil Aviation (DGAC), Carlos Parra, who works for more than 10 years at Juan Fernandez, delivering condition reports to aircraft landing on the island. At 16.48 hours is recorded the first radio contact between aircraft and Parra at the aeronautics station.

According to officials, Parra reported on the weather for all flights arriving at Juan Fernandez and did, moments before, with two other aircraft.

According to that testimony, which would be part of the three investigations conducted by the Fach, tells the pilot that there was a "Crosswind", which alert a gust of wind that crosses the track and can destabilize the aircraft.

She replied "yes, received." After that contact was lost with the plane.

According to the weather report the wind was 30 knots.

Second attempt

After attempting the first landing on the runway, the pilot initiated a second maneuver, and advised traffic on the open frequency.

These were the last links to the lieutenant, a few minutes before that she had made her last communication with the Control Center in Santiago, which had been in communication for more than two hours of flight.

According to the record, the last communication was around 16.27 hours. "Starting the descent and leaving controlled airspace for the island" were the last words that came out of the plane, before leaving the controlled area.

[Machaca]

La Tercera reported on Sept 7th (http://diario.latercera.com/2011/09/07/01/contenido/pais/31-82797-9-fach-descarta-tesis-de-falta-de-combustible-e-inexperiencia-de- piloto.shtml):

Fach discards thesis of lack of fuel or pilot inexperience

Fach Secretary General said that plane took off with 3,400 pounds of fuel, which allows a flight of four hours and 40 minutes.


The Casa 212 aircraft at the time of attempting approaches to Robinson Crusoe airfield had an hour and 43 minutes of fuel remaining.

This was confirmed yesterday by the secretary general of the Fach, Maximiliano Larraechea, in an extensive presentation, which was responsible for discarding versions that pointed to a possible lack of fuel, as a possible cause of the accident.

Larraechea answered in detail questions.

One of them referred to the experience of the crew of the ship. In this regard, said Lt. Larraechea and pilot Carolina Fernandez had been certified as archipelago flight commander traveling to Juan Fernandez and, as co-pilot Juan Pablo Mella, made that journey several times. He also explained that "between them they had experience totaling 1,500 hours of flight."

Another hypothesis that bothered the Fach was the possible lack of fuel as a cause of the tragedy. Larraechea dismissed the argument and clarified the plane took off with 3,400 pounds of fuel, 3,000 of them uplifted at the air base and 400 pounds already onboard. According to the secretary general of the Fach, this was sufficient to allow the CASA 212 to fly about four hours and 40 minutes.

The plane took off on Friday at 13.51 h, with a weight of 17,314 pounds. The maximum weight for this plane, according Larraechea are 17,857 lbs.

The crew faced the "point of no return" at 16.42 h. "It's a point that is scheduled to make the final decision to continue the flight or returned to origin," said Larraechea.

Upon reaching that point, the Oceanic Control confirmed that the conditions on the island allowed to continue. "He reported good visibility, good ceiling. Winds of some importance, but within the limitations of the aircraft," said Larraechea.

Six minutes after crossing the point of "no return" and almost three hours after takeoff, the crew made visual contact with the island. "They had a surplus of fuel an hour or 43 minutes," stressed the Secretary General of the Fach.

At that time they took an initial pass - not a landing attempt - to recognize and verify the conditions at the airfield, which were 25 knots with gusts. They subsequently aborted a landing approach" and went around. "Here they are showing very clearly that they were not facing a problem of fuel, or flight time as they had a lot of fuel. To do a lot of approaches," said the general.

Larraechea said that if they had lacked fuel, they could have made an emergency landing. "Using common sense, as a pilot if I'm low on fuel and my indicators tell me that I have no fuel to continue flying, I'll land the plane even if not ideal, I prefer to damage the plane in a bad landing but would not try to keep flying if I have no fuel.

[Fareastdriver]

How exactly does the evidence suggest such?

The propellors are bent back. If there was any power at all, even idle power the propellors would drive and bend forward engaging a denser medium like water.

[dusk2dawn]

Is the Minister of Defense, Andres Allamand, still on the island?

[papapapahotel]

Defense Minister Allamand is back in Santiago, Chile's capital for ceremonies remembering national day on the 18th Sept. and Armed Forces day on the 19th.
"Operation Loreto" in the Juan Fernandez Islands will resume with the use of new equipment supplied by US Armed Forces specialists and the main enphasis now is to retrieve larger parts on the airplane from under the sea off the island.

[dusk2dawn]

La Nacion published some pictures and video (apparently recovered from the wreckace).

nacion.cl - TVN revela imágenes inéditas del vuelo de la tragedia (http://lanacion.cl/tvn-revela-imagenes-ineditas-del-vuelo-de-la-tragedia/noticias/2011-11-04/213004.html)

[Trim Stab]

In this regard, said Lt. Larraechea and pilot Carolina Fernandez had been certified as archipelago flight commander traveling to Juan Fernandez and, as co-pilot Juan Pablo Mella, made that journey several times.


Except in the video, Mallea is clearly in LHS, and Fernandez in RHS. I'd have thought they would have had better records of the composition of the flight crew.

[Fareastdriver]

I can imagine the howling and wringing of hands in the UK if the BBC transmitted pictures of the passengers and crew of a British airliner on its last flight.

[Trim Stab]

That's pretty mild by the standards of some images they used to show on television in Argentina when I lived there in the 80s. I've not been back since so don't know whether they still show dead bodies in car crashes etc.