Tres Esquinas | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft departed Bogotá on a flight to Tres Esquinas, carrying a team of engineers who were involved in the refurbishment of the runway at Tres Esquinas Airport. On final approach, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located 3 km short of runway. Two occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Rio Aguarico

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1977 at 1535 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

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Registration:

FAC-118

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Tres Esquinas - Puerto Leguizamo

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The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing near the Rio Aguarico while completing a flight from Tres Esquinas to Puerto Leguizamo, apparently after being lost. The wreckage was spotted three days later about 20 km from the Colombia - Ecuador border and all four occupants were evacuated.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator near Tena

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator

Operator:

Registration:

505

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Tres Esquinas – Puerto Leguízamo

MSN:

6706

YOM:

1944

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The crew was supposed to fly from Tres Esquinas to Puerto Leguízamo but as the flight was illegal, they departed the Colombian Airspace for Ecuador. En route, an unexpected situation forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing by the Rio Pusuno, east of the city of Tena. All three occupants escaped and were arrested while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A load of cocaine was found on board.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Natagaima: 12 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1957

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

FAC-620

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

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Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Bogotá – Tres Esquinas

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Struck a mountain near Natagaima, Tolima, while on a flight from Bogotá to Tres Esquinas. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted. The wreckage was found eleven days later, on March 24. All 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 at Tres Esquinas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

FAC-671

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

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Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

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Crashed apparently shortly after takeoff, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Junkers W.34hi in Puerto Boy

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Junkers W.34

Operator:

Registration:

404

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Puerto Leguizamo – Tres Esquinas

MSN:

2761

YOM:

1934

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En route, the engine failed, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing near Puerto Boy, Putumayo. The aircraft was found few hours later and all four occupants (three crew members and a woman passenger) were injured and rescued.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Tarapacá: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1941 at 1520 LT

Type of aircraft:

Ford 5

Operator:

Registration:

644

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tarapacá – Tres Esquinas

MSN:

5-AT-089

YOM:

1930

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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 Junkers JU.52/3m in Tres Esquinas: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1936

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.52

Operator:

Registration:

624

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Puerto Boyacá – Tres Esquinas

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While approaching Tres Esquinas Air Base, the crew encountered technical problems and lost control of the float plane that crashed. Six passengers were seriously injured while all 13 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Unknown technical failure.

Crash of a Junkers W.34hi in El Retiro: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1935

Type of aircraft:

Junkers W.34

Operator:

Registration:

406

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Palanquero – Tres Esquinas

MSN:

2779

YOM:

1934

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En route from Palanquero to Tres Esquinas, the crew encountered engine problems. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in El Retiro, near the Rio Magdalena. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.