After more than 63 years of uncertainty, one of Chile's most persistent aviation mysteries may have been solved. A group of hikers has discovered the suspected wreckage of a Chilean military aircraft on Cerro Moreno Mountain in the remote Antofagasta region.
The remains found, including corroded fuselage parts, window frames, and weathered fabric remnants, indicate that this is the missing B-26 bomber of the Chilean Air Force, which disappeared on May 10, 1962, during a training flight with three crew members. The discovery could finally bring certainty to the pilots' families after decades of searching.
A flight into the unknown: The missing bomber and the “Cerro Moreno Triangle”
The story of the vanished Douglas B-26 Invader bomber, serial number 838, is one of many legends surrounding the rugged and inhospitable landscape of northern Chile. On May 10, 1962, the aircraft took off with a crew of three for a routine training flight. On board were Lieutenant Mario Sepúlveda Zúñiga, First Lieutenant Gracián Figueroa Navarrete, and First Lieutenant Pedro Gutiérrez Araya. Shortly after takeoff, air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft, which was last seen over an area known in local folklore as the "Cerro Moreno Triangle." This name, reminiscent of the famous Bermuda Triangle, arose from several mysterious aircraft disappearances in the region.
Despite an intensive, weeks-long search by the Chilean Air Force and civilian volunteers, the aircraft was never found. The crew's relatives were left without a definitive answer to the fate of their loved ones. Over the years, there were repeated speculations and rumors about the aircraft's whereabouts, but none of the leads led to a concrete result. The case became one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in Chilean aviation history.
A discovery after decades: The search of amateur researchers
The alleged discovery is the result of the meticulous work of amateur researchers. Inspired by a book about local airplane disappearances in the region, a group of seven hikers set out to solve the mystery. The group, including Mauro Gómez, hiked more than 19 kilometers through rugged, high-altitude terrain inaccessible to vehicles. After days of effort, they came across debris they believe to be from an airplane.
The remains discovered include corroded fuselage and wing sections, oval window frames, and remnants of sunlight-damaged fabric. The hikers quickly realized that the remains appeared to be of military design due to the thickness of the metal and the rivet structure. The parts are consistent with the Douglas B-26 Invader. The remains were left untouched by the hikers, and the site was immediately reported to the authorities. It is suspected that the wreckage was exposed by heavy rainfall, which is rare in the Antofagasta desert region.
The discovery has raised great hopes in Chile. The families of the crew members, who have lived in uncertainty for decades, can now finally draw a line under the story and come to terms with their loss. Official confirmation from the Chilean Air Force is still pending, but the evidence speaks volumes. Experts from the aviation authorities and the military will be deployed in the coming days to examine and verify the discovery.
The Douglas B-26 Invader: An aircraft with history
The Douglas B-26 Invader is a light, twin-engine attack aircraft used by the U.S. Armed Forces and other air forces around the world during World War II and beyond. The aircraft was known for its robustness and versatility. In the Korean War, the B-26 played an important role as a night bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. Many of these aircraft were sold or leased to other air forces after the end of World War II. Chile acquired several examples for its air force to modernize its military capability.
The B-26 Invader, which disappeared in 1962, was one such aircraft. Its mission, a training flight, was to train pilots for routine operations and military readiness. The aircraft's disappearance during such a standard mission was a shock to the public and the Chilean armed forces at the time.
An end to the search: hope for certainty
The discovery on Cerro Moreno could end 63 years of uncertainty. For the crew members' families, the news is invaluable. Lieutenant Zúñiga, Lieutenant Navarrete, and Lieutenant Araya have been missing ever since. Knowing the fate of their loved ones is an important step in coming to terms with this trauma.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the official investigation can confirm the discovery. If so, a detailed examination of the wreckage will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the crash. This investigation could provide important clues about the technical defects or meteorological conditions that led to the crash. Until then, the case remains a fascinating piece of Chilean aviation history, one that is now about to come to an end.