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Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Tarapacá

Date & Time: Jun 11, 2017 at 1712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4833
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Pedrera – Tarapacá
MSN:
34 04
YOM:
1993
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8400
Captain / Total hours on type:
1475.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1560
Copilot / Total hours on type:
426
Aircraft flight hours:
3409
Aircraft flight cycles:
3182
Circumstances:
Following an unventful charter flight from La Pedrera, the crew initiated the approach to Tarapacá Airfield. Just after touchdown on runway 25, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the airplane rolled for few dozen metres and became stuck in mud. All 45 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Inappropriate decision by the aircraft operator to rush the aircraft's initial route to an aerodrome unknown to the company, not appropriate to the type of aircraft and not authorised in its Operating Specifications, without at least a proper risk assessment.
- Inadequate crew decision to accept and decide to proceed to an unknown aerodrome, without due knowledge of its characteristics, without prior experience or training in aerodrome operation and without at least a risk assessment.
- A side runway excursion, from 24 metres from the threshold of runway 25, as a result of a probable unstabilised approach resulting in an off-axis landing.
Contributing factors:
- Inefficient planning and supervision of operations by the aircraft operator, by scheduling the operation to an unknown airfield.
- Failure of the company to comply with the contents of the Dispatch Manual and General Operations Manual, in relation to the procedures that must be complied with before operating new routes, new airports or special airports, in aspects such as route analysis, runway analysis, risk management and crew requirements.
- Ignorance of the Tarapacá runway by the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Ford 5 in Tarapacá: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1941 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
644
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tarapacá – Tres Esquinas
MSN:
5-AT-089
YOM:
1930
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Tarapacá Airport, bound for Tres Esquinas, the three engine airplane caught fire and crashed in a dense wooded area located few km from the airport. SAR operations were quickly initiated but the burnt wreckage was found two days and a half later. All 16 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the airplane suffered a sudden and severe in-flight fire, maybe due to the explosion of an engine.

Crash of a Ford 5 near Tarapaca: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
643
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Caucaya – Tarapaca
MSN:
5-AT-047
YOM:
1929
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While descending to Tarapaca, the crew encountered engine problems and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft came to rest near the Rió Putumayo, on Brazilian territory, few km from the border with Colombia. A crew member was killed and 13 other occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach.