Crash of a Lockheed L-382E-26C Hercules in Tarapoto: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAP395
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tarapoto - Lima
MSN:
4364
YOM:
1970
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tarapoto-Comandante Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport, while climbing, the airplane lost height, stalled and crashed. All four crew members were killed. The airplane was completing a cargo flight to Lima on behalf of Servicio Aéreo de Transportes Comerciales (SATCO) and had a dual registration FAP395 and OB-R-1004.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an engine failure, maybe a multiple engine failure.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188A Electra near Puerto Inca: 91 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1971 at 1236 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-R-941
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Lima - Pucallpa - Iquitos
MSN:
1086
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
LP508
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
86
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
91
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 21,000 feet on a flight from Lima to Pucallpa, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and severe turbulences. It appears that lightning struck the right wing that caught fire and later detached. As the pilot-in-command attempted to stabilize the airplane, turbulences caused a structural failure of the left wing. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames in a jungle located in a mountainous area in the region of Puerto Inca. Debris and dead bodies were found in a large area. A female passenger aged 17, Juliane Koepcke, was ejected at impact and was the only survivor. Despite her injuries (a broken collar bone, a deep gash to her right arm, a concussion and an eye injury), she walked away for 10 days and was eventually rescued by lumbermen.
Probable cause:
In-flight loss of control in bad weather conditions following structural failure of the left wing and fire of the right wing due to thunderstorm and severe turbulences.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D Commando near Palca: 35 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1971 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAP381
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mazamari – Lima
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Circumstances:
While cruising in limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Cuti Padre located in the region of Palca, Junín. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 35 occupants have been killed. The airplane was on its way from Mazamari to Lima, carrying a crew of five and 30 passengers, 14 Police officers and 16 of their family members. It is believed the accident was the result of an in-flight technical problem.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188 Electra in Cuzco: 101 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1970 at 1455 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-R-939
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cuzco - Lima
MSN:
1106
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
LP502
Country:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
91
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
101
Circumstances:
The airplane was departing Cuzco-Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport on a flight to Lima, carrying a crew of nine and 91 passengers, among them 49 US students who were returning to Lima following a visit of the Machu Picchu ruins. During the takeoff roll, which was 700 meters longer than normal, the engine number three failed. The takeoff procedure was continued as well as the initial climb at a speed of V2 + 15 knots. Once the altitude of 300 feet was reached, the flaps were retracted and at a speed of 140 knots, the aircraft turn left then banked left at an angle of 30-45°. Control was lost and the airplane crashed onto a hill located about 4 km east of the airport. The copilot survived while 99 other occupants and two people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the improper execution of engine-out procedures by the flight crew, with contributing factors of improper loading of the aircraft and improper maintenance procedures by company personnel.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 on Cerro Baco: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1959 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-135
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá – Quito – Lima
MSN:
10418
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
AV667
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Quito Airport at 1548LT bound for Lima, Peru. At 1845LT, the crew reported his position and gave his ETA at Lima Airport at 2011LT. While cruising at an altitude of 9,200 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Cerro Baco located about 12 km northwest of Huaricanga. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 14 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was not following the assigned route at the time of the accident, maybe due to a navigation error or a malfunction of one or more instruments.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando near Tournavista: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-WBP-507
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lima – Pucallpa – Tarapoto
MSN:
26829
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 30 km south of Tournavista. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-1-DC Skymaster near Viñac: 21 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-PAZ-228
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Lima – Cuzco
MSN:
10277
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the captain informed ATC that an engine caught fire and elected to divert to the nearest airport. Few minutes later, the airplane hit the slope of Peak Oiriruma-Viñac located in the region of Viñac. Fourteen people were rescued while 21 others, among them all five crew members, were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in-flight.

Crash of a Lockheed 14-H2 Super Electra in Tarapoto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-QAG-338
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tarapoto – Lima
MSN:
1451
YOM:
1938
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft nosed up, stalled and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the cargo shifted shortly after rotation, causing the center of gravity to move forward and the aircraft to nose up. In such conditions, the crew was unable to maintain an adequate control of the airplane that crashed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 on Mt Jirishanca: 24 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAP403
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Pucallpa – Lima
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the southeast slope of Mt Jirishanca (,6,094 meters high) located about 200 km north of Lima-Callao Airport. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found on December 4, 1954. All 24 occupants (21 civilians and three crew members) were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Huilyo: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1951
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lima – Arequipa
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
On a flight from Lima to Arequipa, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located near the village of Huilyo, in the province of Cuzco. The wreckage was found few days later and all 16 occupants have been killed.