Rescuers are continuing to search for a missing Cessna 208 Grand Caravan operated by Chilean regional carrier Patagonia Airlines, after it disappeared two days ago while flying between Puerto Montt and La Junta.
Search efforts have been hampered by heavy snow in the mountainous terrain and, although an emergency locator transmitter signal has been detected near Yelco, the aircraft has yet to be found.
According to a local airport source, the aircraft – registered CC-CTR, and carrying nine passengers and a pilot – had delayed its scheduled departure on 7 June several times because of bad weather conditions before it finally took off for the 1h 15min at 13:15.
The aircraft was transporting inhabitants of the La Junta community evacuated after the recent eruption of the Chaiten volcano whose ashes have limited commercial air operations in southern Chile and Argentina recently. The Caravan was using a non-standard route and approach to La Junta to avoid the risks associated with the volcano.
Patagonia Airlines operates scheduled flights from Puerto Montt to Quellon, Chaiten and Melinka and charter flights to smaller communities in Chile's southern region.
Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: Flight International
