Quito-Mariscal Sucre (Tababela) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following an uneventful flight from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew started the descent to Ambato Airport in good weather conditions but was stressed by the presence of another aircraft in the approach area. On approach, the aircraft was too high on the glide and its speed was 100 knots, about 12 knots above the reference speed. This caused the aircraft to land too far down the runway 19, about 900 metres past the runway threshold (Ambato's runway 19 is 2,000 metres long). After touchdown, the crew decided to initiate a go-around procedure and increased engine power. The aircraft adopted a high angle of attack, causing the base of the empennage to struck the runway surface. Out of control, the aircraft continued, overran and came to rest in a ravine located 60 metres past the runway end. All seven occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The following findings were reported:
- Wrong approach configuration as the aircraft was too high on the glide with an excessive speed,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available,
- Poor flight planning,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The copilot failed to calculate properly the approach and landing speeds,
- The captain was not aware of the total weight of the aircraft upon landing,
- The operator failed to train the crew according to the specificities related to Ambato Airport,
- The operator failed to prepare documentation required for the operations at Ambato Airport,
- When the crew initiated the go-around procedure, the aircraft' speed was insufficient, and the input on the control column was sudden, causing the base of the empennage to struck the runway surface.

Crash of a Boeing 727-2B6 in Quito

Date & Time: May 1, 1996 at 1656 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 727-200

Operator:

Registration:

PP-LBY

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Quito - Guayaquil

MSN:

21297

YOM:

1976

Location:

Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City)

Pichincha

Country:

Ecuador

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll from runway 35 at Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, just before V1 speed, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, collided with the ILS antenna, went down an embankment, struck a concrete wall and came to rest. All 90 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. On board were all staff and players of the Brazilian soccer team Corinthians.

Probable cause:

At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 69,620 kilos, some 9,700 kilos above the MTOW. The crew had been told by the operator that MTOW was 70,000 kilos.

Crash of a Gulfstream GII on Mt Sincholagua: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1995 at 2345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Gulfstream GII

Operator:

Registration:

N409MA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Buenos Aires – La Paz – Quito

MSN:

YOM:

1970

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total hours on type:

105.00

Copilot / Total hours on type:

105

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Buenos Aires to Quito with an intermediate stop in La Paz, carrying five passengers and two pilots. The descent to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport was initiated by night and good weather conditions. While descending to the altitude of 16,000 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Sincholagua (4,899 metres high) located about 45 km southeast of Quito. The wreckage was found the following morning and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew selected the wrong frequency, using Condorcocha VOR instead of the Monjas VOR. This caused the aircraft to follow a wrong pattern for the approach to Quito Airport. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew was not familiar with the region of Quito,
- The crew's experience on this type of aircraft was limited,
- Crew fatigue,
- The crew had a private conversation that was not in accordance with flight rules,
- The crew failed to proceed to appropriate controls during the descent,
- Poor approach planning.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188C Electra in Taura

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1989 at 1654 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-188 Electra

Operator:

Registration:

HC-AZJ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Quito - Tulcán

MSN:

2004

YOM:

1959

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, while climbing, the left main gear warning light remained on. The captain decided to divert to Taura AFB for an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 99 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The bolts on the front gear doors were stuck because of a stuck support rod.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188A Electra in Lago Agrio: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1988 at 1429 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-188 Electra

Operator:

Registration:

HC-AZY

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lago Agrio - Quito

MSN:

1052

YOM:

1959

Location:

Nueva Loja-Lago Agrio

Sucumbíos

Country:

Ecuador

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The engine n°2 was inoperative due to technical problems and the crew decided to takeoff on a positioning flight to Quito with only three engines. Shortly after takeoff from Lago Agrio Airport, while in initial climb, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew lost control of the aircraft that banked left and crashed, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure and explosion of the engine n°1 at takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2V2 in Cuenca: 119 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1983 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 737-200

Operator:

Registration:

HC-BIG

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Quito - Cuenca

MSN:

22607

YOM:

1981

Location:

Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar

Azuay

Country:

Ecuador

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

111

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

119

Circumstances:

On final approach to Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames near the district of Gaullum, about 2 km short of runway 05 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 119 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

For unknown reasons, the flying crew continued the approach below the glide without proper visual contact with the ground. A lack of experience was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VI-R in Guayaquil: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle

Operator:

Registration:

HC-BAT

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Guayaquil - Quito

MSN:

125

YOM:

1962

Flight number:

WB832

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Guayaquil-Simon Bolivar Airport runway 21, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The pilot informed ATC about the situation and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the right engine lost power and the airplane lost height and crashed in a swampy area short of runway threshold. A crew member and seven passengers were killed while 20 other occupants were injured. 72 other occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined. However, the day prior to the accident, the captain proceeded to a test flight following an engine overhaul and noted that the power was insufficient and that the engine failed to respond properly. Engines were rechecked by ground personnel and it was noted in the log book there was no anomalies.