On October 13, 1972, Flight 571 departed from Montevideo, Uruguay, and arrived in Santiago, Chile, carrying 45 passengers. Many of the travelers were happy to be there in order to compete and to enjoy the new opportunities for socializing with friends and relatives. A large number belonged to the rugby team of Christians Club. The plane was above the Andes Mountains, where they were scheduled to land in a few minutes, when a pilot error sent it crashing into the snow and rocks. Thirty-three people had died in the disaster, but the suffering was far from over.