Alejandro Velasco Astete (September 23, 1897 in

Cusco Cusco, often spelled Cuzco (; qu, Qusqu ()), is a city in Southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region and of the Cusco Province. The city is the list of cities in Peru, seventh m ...

– September 28, 1925) was a

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

vian pilot, most recognizable for being the first man to fly over the

Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...

. He was 28 years old upon his death. Starting in

Lima Lima ( ; ), originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of The Kings) is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón River, Chillón, Rímac River, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of t ...

, Velasco succeeded in crossing the Andes and arrived in

on August 31, 1925. His next flight on September 28 took him to Puno where many spectators had gathered. When he tried landing without hitting them, the plane crashed. Velasco died soon after that. He was pronounced dead on September 28, 1925. The

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is an international airport located in the city of Cusco, in southeastern Peru. Cusco, a principal tourist attraction in Latin America, receives various domestic flights as well as some internat ...

in Cusco and a street near the airport have been named after him.

References

People from Cusco 1897 births 1925 deaths Peruvian aviators {{Aviation-bio-stub

See also

References