Bell 205 crash near Chanco, Chile

A Bell 205 helicopter operated by Flight Service Helicopters crashed into Polhuin Hill near Chanco in dense fog and light rain while ferrying 12 firefighters from a eucalyptus plantation to a forest fire in the Quirihue sector. All 13 on board were killed including the pilot, a former Chilean Air Force officer who had previously served as pilot for Presidents Bachelet and Lagos, and 12 young firefighters from the CELCO forestry company, all under 30 years old. The wreckage was scattered over 120 metres. The helicopter caught fire on impact and all on board died instantly. The Chilean aviation authority investigated.