Zone
La Guajira

Crash of a Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VI-R near Riohacha: 70 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1980 at 1423 LT
Type of aircraft:
Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos del Caribe - TAC Colombia
Registration:
HK-1810
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bogotá – Barranquilla – Valledupar – Riohacha – Medellín – Bogotá
MSN:
165
YOM:
1963
Location:
Riohacha
La Guajira
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
63
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
70
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Riohacha-Almirante Padilla Airport at 1418LT on a flight to Medellín. After takeoff, while climbing, the pilot contacted ATC and reported technical problems as well as an explosion on board. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a stonepit locate few km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 70 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that an explosion occurred on board during climb but investigations were unable to determine if this explosion was the consequence of a bomb detonation or not.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-35-CU Commando off Riohacha

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HI-197
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Riohacha
MSN:
26716
YOM:
1943
Location:
Riohacha
La Guajira
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Riohacha-Almirante Padilla Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea few hundred meters off shore. All six occupants were rescued while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the flight was illegal as the airplane and its crew were involved in a contraband mission.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Riohacha: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Skyways International
Registration:
N6924C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4852
YOM:
1958
Location:
Riohacha
La Guajira
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Riohacha-Almirante Padilla Airport, the crew inadvertently retracted the landing gear before liftoff. The airplane sank on its belly and crashed in flames. Two crew members were injured while the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Premature retraction of the landing gear during the takeoff roll, prior to liftoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 on Mt Kennedy: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1978 at 1655 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-680
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Riohacha – Santa Marta – Barranquilla – Bogotá
Location:
Mt Kennedy
Magdalena
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The C-47 departed Riohacha Airport at 1615LT on a flight to Bogotá with intermediate stops in Santa Marta and Barranquilla. About five minutes before ETA, while cruising in low clouds, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Kennedy located about 22 km east of Santa Marta-Simon Bolivár Airport. The wreckage was found in an isolated area three days later and all eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Jaime Sánchez Tocarruncho, pilot,
Lt Ramon Villanueva Rodriguez, copilot,
Cpt Jose Orlando Moscoso Valencia, navigator,
Cpt Edra Rincón TAvera, navigator,
Ezequiel Prada Rueda, mechanic,
Omar Hernán Linares Rifaldo, mechanic.
Passengers:
1st Lt Guillermo Leon Valencia Obando,
Sgt Ramiro Waldo Giraldo Ramirez.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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