Leticia | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine aircraft departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport runway 13L on an ambulance flight to Leticia, carrying three doctors and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff, during initial climb, the crew contacted ATC and declared an emergency. The aircraft rolled to the right then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed onto several houses located in the Fontibón neighborhood, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed as well as two people on the ground.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B near Leticia: 80 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1985 at 1700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

FAC-902

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Leticia - Bogotá

MSN:

45067

YOM:

1956

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Circumstances:

Some aircraft operated by the Colombian Air Force were requisitioned to carry out regular schedule flights on behalf of Avianca because their pilots were striking. Few minutes after takeoff from Leticia-Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport, the pilot declared an emergency after the engine n°3 caught fire. While returning, fire spread to the right wing and the airplane went out of control and crashed in a jungle located 32 km north of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 80 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the n°3 engine for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando on Mt Páramo de Laura: 18 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1978 at 1515 LT

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

HK-1350

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Bucaramanga - Leticia - La Paz

MSN:

22557

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

While cruising in VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Páramo de Laura (3,543 meters high) located south of Sogamoso, Boyacá. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 18 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain caused by the combination of the following (contributing) factors:
- Strong winds caused the airplane to be off course,
- The crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions,
- Limited visibility,
- The airplane was not airworthy as two VOR receivers were missing and one ADF was unserviceable,
- There were 15 passengers on board while the aircraft was configured for six passengers only.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off La Pedrera: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1966 at 1424 LT

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

FAC-621

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

La Pedrera – Leticia

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from runway 33 at La Pedrera Airport, while in initial climb, the seaplane stalled and crashed into the Rio Caquetá. A passenger was rescued while 12 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Puerto Leguízamo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

FAC-616

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Madrid – Puerto Leguízamo – Leticia

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Circumstances:

While taking off from the Río Putumayo in Puerto Leguízamo, the seaplane hit a sand bank and crashed. A pilot was killed while all other occupants were rescued. The airplane was performing a flight from the Madrid AFB in Bogotá to Leticia with several intermediate stops en route, carrying mail, equipment and army personnels.