A tragic accident unfolded in Talca, Chile, as an Ayres Turbo Trush plane crashed onto Route 5 South, adjacent to Panguilemo Airfield.
Pilot killed in tragic plane clash near Chile’s Panguilemo Airfield
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The fiery mishap, which occurred on Monday, 15 January 2024, claimed the life of experienced firefighting pilot, Fernando Solans.
The incident also resulted in injuries to four people travelling in a vehicle on the highway at the time of the crash.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Chile and the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) confirmed the crash. Solans was engaged in fire control operations when his aircraft seemingly lost control around 16:30 local time.
Eyewitness footage showed the plane’s wing clipping wires between utility poles, creating a spark, before plummeting onto the highway. Upon impact, the plane was engulfed in flames, leading to the tragic fatality.
CONAF expressed deep condolences to Solans’s family.
“Mr Solans becomes part of the legacy of martyrs who have given their lives to safeguard the heritage of our country, and thus protect the lives of its inhabitants,” said a spokesperson from the agency.
Christian Little, Executive Director of CONAF, paid tribute to Solans’s expertise and dedication.
“He was a very experienced pilot,” Little reiterated.
Solans, a Spanish national from Valencia, was described as a chief pilot in Spain with significant experience. He was operating a plane from Air Andes SPA, a company providing services to CONAF.
The incident caused a complete shutdown of nearby traffic. Authorities are currently working with CONAF to determine the cause of the accident.