Aeronor Flight 304
Encyclopedia
Aeronor Flight 304 was an aircraft flight that crashed on December 9, 1982 near La Florida Airport
, in the Chilean city of La Serena
. On that occasion, 46 people died. All of them were aboard the aircraft.
, with stops in La Serena and Copiapó.
The plane took off from Santiago at 09:40 (UTC-4), spotting the city of La Serena at 10:25. A few minutes before it was scheduled to land at La Florida Airport, the aircraft suffered a malfunction in one of its motors. After this, at 10:29, the plane crashed into a stone wall located in the area called "Parcela Seis" (Lot Six) at Alfalfares, located approximately 800 meters northeast of the local air terminal. It is estimated that the plane crashed at a speed of 180 km/h.
After the aircraft crashed, it burned almost completely. The fire companies of La Serena and Coquimbo responded to the tragedy, with police and local hospitals personnel. Only the tail was almost complete, with the rest of the airplane completely burned. Thus, the 46 occupants were killed almost immediately.
Initially, the accident was mistaken for an airline emergency drill at the airport in La Serena which had developed a few hours before the tragedy. However, a team of Canal 8 UCV TV
, who was shooting scenes of the simulation, managed to capture the Aeronor plane on fire shortly after falling to earth. The images were broadcast that night on the local news programme, and were subsequently broadcast nationally on Teletrece
, the newscast of Canal 13
. Similarly, a team from the local newspaper El Día conducted an extensive display, which culminated in the publication the day after of extensive journalistic and graphic material about the tragedy.
Among those killed was a journalist from the newspaper La Tercera
, Silvia Pinto, with an extensive background in Chilean press. Two American nuns were also killed, both belonging to the Maryknoll
congregation.
La Florida Airport (Chile)
La Florida Airport is an airport in La Serena, Chile. This is the only Chilean airport with an east–west runway; because of the shape of the country, all others run north–south.-Airlines and destinations:-History:...
, in the Chilean city of La Serena
La Serena
La Serena is a city and commune in northern Chile, capital of the Coquimbo Region. Founded in 1544, it is the country's second oldest city after the national capital, Santiago, located to the south. It has a communal population of 190,716 area, the country's fourth largest conurbation La Serena...
. On that occasion, 46 people died. All of them were aboard the aircraft.
Accident
A Fairchild F-27 of Aeronor Chile was flying from Santiago to AntofagastaAntofagasta
Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 296,905...
, with stops in La Serena and Copiapó.
The plane took off from Santiago at 09:40 (UTC-4), spotting the city of La Serena at 10:25. A few minutes before it was scheduled to land at La Florida Airport, the aircraft suffered a malfunction in one of its motors. After this, at 10:29, the plane crashed into a stone wall located in the area called "Parcela Seis" (Lot Six) at Alfalfares, located approximately 800 meters northeast of the local air terminal. It is estimated that the plane crashed at a speed of 180 km/h.
After the aircraft crashed, it burned almost completely. The fire companies of La Serena and Coquimbo responded to the tragedy, with police and local hospitals personnel. Only the tail was almost complete, with the rest of the airplane completely burned. Thus, the 46 occupants were killed almost immediately.
Initially, the accident was mistaken for an airline emergency drill at the airport in La Serena which had developed a few hours before the tragedy. However, a team of Canal 8 UCV TV
Canal 8 UCV TV
Canal 8 UCV TV was a Chilean Television Channel which only operated in the Coquimbo Region between 1974 and 2002.-Beginnings:The channel started in 1971 as a relay for UCV TV...
, who was shooting scenes of the simulation, managed to capture the Aeronor plane on fire shortly after falling to earth. The images were broadcast that night on the local news programme, and were subsequently broadcast nationally on Teletrece
Teletrece
Teletrece is a Chilean news program on Canal 13 that, since 1970, has had the title of being the longest running news program in Chilean television, replacing TVN's 60 Minutos and subsequent programs TV Noticias, Noticias and 24 Horas....
, the newscast of Canal 13
Canal 13 (Chile)
Canal 13 , is the second oldest television station in Chile. It is owned by Luksic Group associated with the Papal Catholic University of Chile. Its inaugural transmission took place on August 21, 1959...
. Similarly, a team from the local newspaper El Día conducted an extensive display, which culminated in the publication the day after of extensive journalistic and graphic material about the tragedy.
Victims
The four crew members of the plane were pilot Jorge Erlandsen, co-pilot Mario Franjola, and hostesses Marta Martínez and Elisa Palacios. The 42 passengers were 22 men and 20 women.Among those killed was a journalist from the newspaper La Tercera
La Tercera
La Tercera , formerly known as La Tercera de la Hora , is a daily newspaper published in Santiago, Chile and owned by Copesa. It is El Mercurios closest competitor....
, Silvia Pinto, with an extensive background in Chilean press. Two American nuns were also killed, both belonging to the Maryknoll
Maryknoll
Maryknoll is a name shared by three organizations that are part of the Roman Catholic Church and whose joint focus is on the overseas mission activity of the Catholic Church in the United States...
congregation.