A Story of Survival Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 Crash

4 min readJun 23, 2024

October 12, 1972, was a pleasant day, when all friends and family members were busy having fun with each other on Flight 571. Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, a Fairchild FH-227D, departed from Montevideo, Uruguay, carrying 45 passengers and crew. The passengers included members of a Uruguayan rugby team, friends, and family members. The destination was Santiago, Chile, where the rugby team was scheduled to play a match.

The journey began with excitement and anticipation, but soon turned harrowing as the aircraft encountered severe turbulence over the Andes Mountains. The crew, struggling to navigate the treacherous weather conditions and mountainous terrain, inadvertently deviated from their planned course. On October 13, the plane crashed into a remote part of the Andes at an altitude of 3,570 meters (11,710 feet), instantly killing 12 passengers.

The Struggle for Survival

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the survivors faced unimaginable challenges. Isolated in the frigid, desolate mountains, they had limited food and no means of communication. Initial efforts to find the wreckage were unsuccessful, and after eight days, the search was called off, with the survivors presumed dead.

The survivors, enduring extreme cold and harsh conditions, rationed the scant food supplies they had salvaged from the wreckage. As days turned into weeks, their situation grew increasingly dire. They faced the unthinkable decision of resorting to cannibalism, consuming the bodies of those who had perished to stay alive. This decision was made collectively and with profound grief, born out of the sheer will to survive.

The Trek for Help

As weeks passed without rescue, the survivors realized that their only hope lay in seeking help themselves. On December 12, two of the strongest survivors, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, set out on a perilous journey across the mountains. Equipped with makeshift gear and meager supplies, they embarked on a ten-day trek through the snow-covered Andes.

Their journey was fraught with danger, including treacherous terrain and extreme weather. On December 20, after a grueling trek, they encountered Sergio Catalán, a Chilean shepherd. Despite the language barrier, Catalán understood the gravity of the situation and hurried to alert authorities.

The Rescue

On December 21, 1972, 72 days after the crash, rescue helicopters were dispatched to the crash site. The sight of the helicopters brought overwhelming relief and emotion to the survivors. The rescuers were stunned by the survivors’ ordeal and the sheer willpower that had kept them alive.

Sixteen survivors were airlifted to safety over two days. The story of their survival captured global attention and inspired countless people around the world.

The Aftermath

The survivors of Flight 571 faced immense challenges in the aftermath of their rescue. They dealt with physical injuries, psychological trauma, and the emotional burden of their experiences. Despite this, many went on to live full lives, cherishing their second chance.

The story of Flight 571 has been recounted in numerous books, documentaries, and films, most notably in the 1993 film “Alive,” based on Piers Paul Read’s book of the same name. The tale of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 stands as a testament to human resilience, the power of hope, and the indomitable spirit of survival.

List of Passengers and Survivors of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571

Passengers

1. Fernando Parrado

2. Roberto Canessa

3. Gustavo Zerbino

4. Eduardo Strauch

5. Adolfo “Fito” Strauch

6. Roy Harley

7. José Pedro Algorta

8. Ramón “Moncho” Sabella

9. Carlos “Carlitos” Páez Rodríguez

10. Daniel Fernández

11. Alfredo “Pancho” Delgado

12. Numa Turcatti

13. Javier Methol

14. Liliana Methol (Javier Methol’s wife)

15. Rafael Echavarren

16. Antonio “Tintin” Vizintin

17. Alvaro Mangino

18. Roberto Francois

19. Francisco “Panchito” Abal

20. Guido Magri

21. Daniel Maspons

22. Juan Carlos “Coche” Lorenzo

23. Diego Storm

24. Marcelo Pérez

25. Enrique Platero

26. Fernando “Nando” Seler

27. Cecilia Negri

28. Susana Parrado

29. Liliana Navarro

30. Graciela Mariani

31. Arturo Nogueira

32. Felipe Maquirriain

33. Alexis Hounié

34. Gustavo Nicolich

35. Francisco “Coco” Nicolich

36. Ruben “Ruggie” Gonzalez

37. Marcelo Perez (the rugby team captain)

38. Daniel Shaw

39. Eugenia Dolgay (Daniel Shaw’s wife)

40. Juan “Jackie” Metol

41. Eduardo “Tito” Ferradas (co-pilot)

42. Dante Lagurara (pilot)

43. Carlos Roque (mechanic)

44. Javier Metol’s wife

45. Fernando Parrado’s mother

Survivors