Crash of a Douglas DC-6A/B in Mitú

Date & Time: May 21, 1994
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-1276W
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
44056
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered technical problems and was cleared to divert to Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The nature of the technical problems remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Villavicencio

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1994
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-3874X
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
43842
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed upon landing at Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport following technical problems. There were no casualties. The accident occurred somewhere in February 1994, exact date unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B in Laja

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1651
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
44433
YOM:
1954
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while in initial climb, the engine n°2 caught fire. The crew was unable to extinguish the fire and the captain shut down the engine and feathered its propeller. He maintained a low level then attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland located near Laja, about 18 km west of El Alto Airport. Following a 'normal' landing, the crew stopped the aircraft and evacuated the cabin. The fire spread to the left wing but was eventually contained.
Probable cause:
Fire on engine n°2 shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B off Cozumel: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1993 at 0932 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-SEA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cancún - Cancún
MSN:
43825
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
920
Aircraft flight hours:
38447
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Cancún Airport at 0922LT on a post maintenance check flight. The crew consisting of three engineers and two pilots was supposed to make several engine tests and verification in flight. The aircraft departed Cancún and continued to the south to Cozumel where it was supposed to make an approach (no landing planned) before returning to Cancún. While approaching Cozumel Island, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and rain falls. In limited visibility, the aircraft descended below the prescribed altitude of 2,000 feet until it crashed in the sea some 22 km north of Cozumel Airport. The copilot and a passenger were seriously injured while the captain was killed. Two other passengers were not recovered.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew performed an altitude loss operation, in low visibility conditions, with an exaggerated descent angle considering the flight level (2,000 feet) over water, not allowing space for the recovery of the aircraft, until impacting the water surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Santa Rosa de Yacuma

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1993 at 0710 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CP-1654
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Rosa de Yacuma - La Esperanza
MSN:
43035
YOM:
1947
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, prior to V1 speed, the engine n°2 caught fire and exploded. The crew abandoned the takeoff maneuver and initiate an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. All four occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The crew was flying to La Esperanza to pick up a load of meat.
Probable cause:
Engine fire and explosion for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Selawik

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1992 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N151
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fairbanks-Selawik
MSN:
45174
YOM:
1957
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6800
Captain / Total hours on type:
5600.00
Aircraft flight hours:
33232
Circumstances:
The heavily loaded fuel tanker landed with an approximate 3 knot tailwind, overran the departure end of the runway, and came to a stop on a frozen river. The last two thirds of the 3,150 feet long gravel runway was covered with ice. The crew stated that the propellers either failed to go into reverse, or were slow in reversing, to assist in stopping. Examination revealed that all propeller blades were in the reversed position. Outside air temperature was minus 30 to minus 35° F. The airplane performance chart used to calculate the landing distance was for 'concrete runways'. Stopping distance was not predicated on the use of reverse propeller thrust. Post accident calculations, using the same chart, found the estimated landing distance needed for the accident flight to be 100 to 200 feet more than the length of the runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot's inadequate pre flight planning and disregarding the aircraft performance data. Contributing factors were the extreme outside air temperatures, the icy runway, and the tailwind.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A/B in Vizcaíno

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N72527
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a desert area while engaged in an illegal contraband flight. There were no casualties. Any correlation with N72522 (DC-6A/B) MSN 44697/598 that may crash in Tlahualilo de Zaragoza, Durango on Feb 17 1992 ?
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Barranquilla: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1991 at 0345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3511
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá - Barranquilla
MSN:
45132
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The descent to Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport was completed by night and poor visibility due to foggy conditions. On approach, as he was unable to locate the runway, the captain initiated a go-around procedure and followed a holding pattern. Few minutes later, the crew started a second approach and on short final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 1,500 meters short of runway. Two passengers were killed after the cargo shifted in the main cabin while all other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B in San Ignacio de Velasco

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1953
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
45516
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing, the four engine encountered problems and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a swamp. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Guatemala City: 27 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1990 at 1446 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N84BL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami
MSN:
43739
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Salvador to Miami with an intermediate stop in Guatemala City, carrying a load of clothes and vegetables. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when control was lost and the airplane crashed in a residential area located about 8 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. All three crew members as well as 24 people on the ground were killed and few others were seriously injured.