LATAM Unites JetSmart, DAP, and AeroTAC: Chile’s Airline Chaos – Emergency Landings, Storms, and Suspended Operations You Won’t Believe!

Published on December 17, 2025

Chile has a diverse geography that stretches from the Andes to the Pacific, and its aviation network connects remote communities, supports economic growth and provides vital medical transport. Between January 2022 and November 2025, only a handful of flights registered as emergency landings. These episodes show how crews and controllers respond under pressure, the role of Chile’s aviation regulator (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil, DGAC) and the importance of robust maintenance and weather monitoring. The following chronology reconstructs every officially verified event during the period, drawing on DGAC statements and airline communications, while avoiding commercial speculation.

October 2022 – LATAM Airbus damaged by a storm

On 26–27 October 2022 a scheduled LATAM Airlines Paraguay flight (LA1325) operated by an Airbus A320 departed from Santiago for Asunción. While returning from a diversion in Foz do Iguazú, the aircraft encountered a severe storm over Paraguay. Images from passengers later circulated showing turbulence and lightning. According to the head of Paraguay’s civil aviation authority (DINAC), Félix Kanasawa, the tip of the plane’s nose was shattered and the windshield cracked[1]. DINAC and LATAM both opened investigations, and the DGAC of Chile announced on social media that the aircraft made an emergency landing because of “extreme and unforeseen weather conditions”[1]. LATAM’s statement added that the plane “experienced severe weather conditions” and that both passengers and crew were in good condition after the landing[1]. The incident did not result in injuries but highlighted the need for better storm avoidance and raised questions about flying near intense convective systems.

December 2022 – Door loss prompts DAP emergency return

On 12 December 2022 a small King Air 100 of Aerovías DAP, a regional carrier serving Patagonia and the Antarctic, departed Puerto Williams with nine passengers and two crew members. Shortly after take‑off a cabin door detached from the fuselage and fell into the sea. Local radio reports said the aircraft returned to the airfield and landed without injuries. Passengers were evaluated at the community hospital and released. Chile’s DGAC sent investigators to determine why the door detached and whether maintenance or installation procedures were at fault[2]. The provincial government of the Antarctic Chilean Territory also confirmed the event and noted that the flight crew’s quick reaction avoided a potential catastrophe[3]. This incident underscored the challenges of operating in harsh southern weather where strong winds can stress aircraft components.

March 2023 – JetSmart flight diverts for medical emergency

On 30 March 2023 JetSmart flight 290, an Airbus A320 operated by the Chilean low‑cost carrier, took off from Concepción bound for Iquique. Mid‑flight a passenger developed a medical emergency. The pilots declared an emergency and requested priority landing clearance in Santiago. The DGAC reported via social media that JetSmart 290 “had to land at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport because of a passenger’s medical emergency”[4]. The diversion allowed paramedics to board quickly, and the passenger was transferred to a hospital. The incident showed how airlines must balance operational efficiency with passenger welfare; the A320 continued its journey with another crew after the sick passenger received care.

November 2024 – Two DAP incidents in Patagonia

Nose‑gear failure during Porvenir–Punta Arenas flight

On 21 November 2024 another DAP aircraft made headlines when a Cessna commuter plane, carrying seven passengers and a pilot, experienced a nose landing gear malfunction during a short flight from Porvenir to Punta Arenas. Four minutes after take‑off the pilot reported an “inconsistency” in the nose gear; DGAC air traffic control initiated emergency protocols. The aircraft circled south of the city for nearly an hour to burn fuel, allowing fire and medical crews to deploy. According to DAP’s statement, the pilot landed at Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport at 09:40 and all passengers disembarked without injury[5]. DGAC investigators boarded the aircraft on the ramp and began an inspection[6]. The regional disaster management agency (Senapred) and the presidential delegate for Magallanes praised the crew’s professionalism and noted that similar drills are part of routine training.

Emergency landing at Punta Arenas due to missing nose gear

One day earlier, on 20 November 2024, a DAP Cessna 404 Titan bound for Porvenir returned to Punta Arenas when the crew realised the nose landing gear could not deploy. Airport authorities declared a phase 2‑1 emergency, and the aircraft overflew an uninhabited area to burn fuel. Ground witnesses described a “tense calm” as the plane approached on only its main wheels[7]. The pilot managed to keep the nose up and slid to a stop at 09:35, with no injuries reported. This second DAP incident within a week led DGAC to intensify inspections of regional commuter fleets. Residents praised the pilot’s skill, while some passengers thanked the crew for maintaining composure and communicating clearly during the approach[7].

September 2025 – AeroTAC ambulance flights under scrutiny

Burst tyre during Puerto Montt landing

On 12 September 2025 an AeroTAC Piper Cheyenne ambulance aircraft registered CC‑PHM was ferrying a patient to Puerto Montt’s El Tepual Airport. During landing the aircraft suffered a blown main‑gear tyre, prompting emergency services to respond. The DGAC later stated that the runway had to be temporarily closed while the disabled aircraft was moved and that no injuries occurred[8]. AeroTAC’s operator reported that the patient was transferred to a waiting ambulance and that maintenance crews were assessing the cause of the tyre failure. DGAC inspectors initiated a technical audit of the company’s maintenance programme, raising questions about whether weight limits or tyre condition contributed to the burst.

Forced landing in a residential area near Olivar

Less than twenty‑four hours later, on 13 September 2025, another AeroTAC aircraft on a medical mission from Santa Cruz to Santiago experienced engine trouble. The pilot attempted to divert but could not reach the nearest airport. He chose a flat area of Olivar, a small town in the O’Higgins region, for an emergency landing. The aircraft skidded across a field and hit a fence, injuring four people on board. Local residents rushed to assist before emergency crews arrived. News outlets reported that the DGAC and police opened investigations into the cause of the forced landing[9]. The rapid succession of two incidents prompted Chile’s aviation authority to examine the operator’s practices.

DGAC suspends AeroTAC’s operations

Following the September incidents, the DGAC announced on 15 September 2025 that it was suspending AeroTAC’s Air Operator Certificate. In a statement reproduced by regional media, the authority said it had conducted an audit and found unresolved irregularities. Given the risks posed by the two emergency landings, it determined that the company’s eight aircraft could not continue operating until corrective measures were taken. Officials emphasised that the decision considered the vulnerability of patients and crew during air ambulance missions and that the measure would remain in place until AeroTAC satisfied safety requirements[8][10]. Health authorities in southern Chile arranged to use other air ambulance providers to ensure continuity of medical transfers while the suspension was in force[10]. AeroTAC’s management expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation and implement improvements.

Broader implications and lessons

These events reveal several recurring themes. Weather remains a major challenge: the severe storm that damaged the LATAM Airbus is a reminder that accurate forecasts and prudent diversion decisions are critical to avoid hail and wind shear. Mechanical reliability is another factor. The DAP incidents in late 2024 show that small commuter aircraft must undergo rigorous maintenance, especially for landing gear components. The loss of a cabin door in December 2022 points to potential wear in older aircraft or installation errors, while the nose gear malfunctions highlight the importance of verifying mechanical systems before take‑off. Human health emergencies, like the JetSmart flight where a passenger fell ill, illustrate the need for clear protocols enabling crews to prioritise passenger welfare and coordinate with ground facilities.

Regulatory oversight is crucial. The DGAC’s timely communications kept the public informed during each crisis and provided reassurance that investigations were underway. In the case of AeroTAC, the authority’s decision to suspend the company underscored a willingness to take decisive action when patterns of safety concerns emerge. It also revealed the vulnerability of remote communities that rely on aero‑medical transport; ensuring redundancy in providers is essential so that suspensions do not interrupt patient care.

Finally, these incidents highlight the professionalism of flight crews who managed to land safely under pressure. The LATAM pilots navigated through extreme weather; DAP crews in Patagonia executed delicate touchdowns without nose gear; JetSmart’s pilots diverted promptly for medical care; and AeroTAC pilots prevented greater tragedy by controlling aircraft during mechanical failures. Chile’s aviation sector has thus faced adversity with competence, yet the events remind industry leaders and regulators to maintain vigilance, invest in maintenance and training, and respect the volatile environment in which they operate.

References

1. Reuters – “Paraguay opens probe after airplane nose shattered during storm,” October 27 2022 (report quoting DGAC and LATAM statements about flight LA1325)[1].
2. BioBioChile – report on DAP King Air 100 emergency landing in Puerto Williams and DGAC investigation, December 12 2022[2][3].
3. The Clinic – summary of DGAC’s announcement regarding JetSmart flight 290 diversion due to medical emergency, March 30 2023[4].
4. La Prensa Austral – article describing the DAP Cessna nose‑gear failure in Porvenir–Punta Arenas flight and quoting DAP and DGAC officials, November 21 2024[5][6].
5. BioBioChile – report on DAP Cessna Titan emergency landing in Punta Arenas due to missing nose gear, November 20 2024[7].
6. SoyChile – coverage of DGAC suspension of AeroTAC after two emergency landings in September 2025 and quoting the authority’s rationale, September 25 2025[8][10].
7. T13 / other Chilean media – report describing the forced landing of an AeroTAC ambulance plane in a residential area of Olivar and confirming DGAC and police investigations, September 13 2025[9].