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| DELTA BOEING 777-232 N706DL (MSN 30440) |
The Airbus A350-941 had arrived in Santiago operating flight DL147 from Atlanta (ATL/KATL) at 7:20am local time. However, it was hit by stray gunfire at around 8:00am local time as a failed armed robbery took place near a LATAM Airlines Group Boeing 787 parked at the adjacent gate.
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| LATAM BOEING 787-9 CC-BGP (MSN 38469) |
The Boeing 787-9 (CC-BGP MSN 38469) had arrived in Santiago operating flight LAN505 from Miami (MIA/KMIA) at 6.50am local time and was the target of the robbery, as it was carrying $32.5 million U S in cash ($49,324,632 Aust).
The valuable cargo was supposed to be transferred to an armoured truck at the airport, and then be delivered to several banks in the country.
During the shootout between the robbers and security officials, a number of bullets struck the Delta jet’s fuselage, mainly the aircraft’s vertical stabilizer.
Footage shared on the internet shows four bullets impacted the aircraft’s vertical stabilizer. However, Delta spokesperson reportedly said that the aircraft was “extensively examined following the incident and confirmed to be clear of serious damage”.
A group of ten heavily armed robbers were able to avoid security and make their way to the apron at the International Airport. According to the Chilean news agency, Agencia Uno reported that “Three vehicles with at least ten people entered the Santiago Airport to steal $32 million.”
Tragically, during the shootout, an official of Chile’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and one of the attackers died. CNN Chile further reported that the robbers were armed with long guns and pistols. Two of the vehicles in which they escaped were later found burnt near the airport. A third car was found later.
Following the incident, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) released a statement saying it regretted the death of Claudio Villar Rodriguez, an airport security official who was gunned down by the robbers.
“The actions of the officials at our institution managed to prevent this criminal act but unfortunately, with the high cost of the life of one our own. The DGAC has reinforced the security mechanisms and had provided our aviation security officials with equipment and training which made it possible to repel this robbery attempt,” the statement read.
Delta Air Lines has published the statement below:
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those impacted by today’s sad events at Arturo Merino BenÃtez International Airport and Delta will work closely with all aviation stakeholders as these events are investigated. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people.”
Aircraft Information:
Airline: Delta Airlines
During the shootout between the robbers and security officials, a number of bullets struck the Delta jet’s fuselage, mainly the aircraft’s vertical stabilizer.
Footage shared on the internet shows four bullets impacted the aircraft’s vertical stabilizer. However, Delta spokesperson reportedly said that the aircraft was “extensively examined following the incident and confirmed to be clear of serious damage”.
Tragically, during the shootout, an official of Chile’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and one of the attackers died. CNN Chile further reported that the robbers were armed with long guns and pistols. Two of the vehicles in which they escaped were later found burnt near the airport. A third car was found later.
Following the incident, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) released a statement saying it regretted the death of Claudio Villar Rodriguez, an airport security official who was gunned down by the robbers.
“The actions of the officials at our institution managed to prevent this criminal act but unfortunately, with the high cost of the life of one our own. The DGAC has reinforced the security mechanisms and had provided our aviation security officials with equipment and training which made it possible to repel this robbery attempt,” the statement read.
Delta Air Lines has published the statement below:
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those impacted by today’s sad events at Arturo Merino BenÃtez International Airport and Delta will work closely with all aviation stakeholders as these events are investigated. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people.”
Aircraft Information:
Airline: Delta Airlines
Code: DL/DAL
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Registration: N574DZ
Serial Number: 265
First Flew: 4th February 2019
Age: 4 Yrs 1 Mth
Engines: 2 x RR Trent XWB
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