Region
South America

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo Porter in Puerto Inírida: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1997 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1115
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Felipe – Puerto Inírida
MSN:
820
YOM:
1983
Location:
Puerto Inírida
Guainía
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
3300
Circumstances:
On approach to Puerto Inírida Airport, the single engine airplane collided with a private Cessna 206 registered OB-1450 and carrying two passengers and one pilot. Both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed about 5 km from the airport. Both aircraft were destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 727-21F in Bogotá

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1997 at 0122 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-100
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1717
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá – Barranquilla
MSN:
18993/215
YOM:
1965
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20067
Captain / Total hours on type:
8664.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4854
Copilot / Total hours on type:
292
Aircraft flight hours:
51014
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll un runway 31 at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, at a speed of 130 knots, the crew heard two explosions. As the aircraft started to vibrate, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, rolled for 497 metres then lost its nose gear and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the tread on the left front tyre (nose gear) deflated and broke off during takeoff, causing severe vibrations. This caused the antiskid system to be unserviceable and the aircraft could not be stopped on the remaining distance as the runway surface was humid. It was also reported that no information were available from both CVR and FDR systems. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 1,461 kilos above MTOW, making the decision speed (V1) to be higher by reducing the stopping distance, which was insufficient when discontinuing the pilot controls takeoff in wet runway conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I near La Felisa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1997 at 0934 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 500 Citation
Operator:
Aerotaxi del Oriente
Registration:
HK-3885
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Pereira - Medellín
MSN:
500-0135
YOM:
1973
Location:
La Felisa
Caldas
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3048
Copilot / Total flying hours:
173
Aircraft flight hours:
6274
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Pereira-Matecaña Airport, while climbing, the copilot declared an emergency and reported problems. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near La Felisa. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight braking and subsequent separation of both wing tips due to positive wing loading imposed by the unqualified crew exceeding the structural limit stipulated by the manufacturer.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Medellín: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1996 at 2232 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-32
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4008X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá – Medellín
MSN:
3402
YOM:
1993
Location:
Medellín-José María Córdova (Rionegro)
Antioquia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
8635
Captain / Total hours on type:
550.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1409
Copilot / Total hours on type:
90
Aircraft flight hours:
403
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bogotá to Medellín, carrying one passenger, three crew members and a load of 18,300 newspapers for a total weight of 4,970 kilos. While descending to Medellín-Rionegro Airport, the crew encountered difficulties to intercept the ILS and made successives left and right turn when, on final approach, the aircraft went out of control and crashed 8 km short of runway 36. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following the in-flight fracture of the right wing that induced the rupture of the left stabilizer exceeding the ultimate resistance of the structure. The exact cause of the structural failure could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Medellín: 14 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1996 at 1032 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2602
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Medellín – Bahía Solano – Quibdo
MSN:
746
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
VX148
Location:
Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera
Antioquia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
4611
Captain / Total hours on type:
3311.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2060
Copilot / Total hours on type:
733
Aircraft flight hours:
35696
Aircraft flight cycles:
48915
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 01 at Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height. About three minutes after liftoff, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Padre Amaya located 8 km from the airport. The wreckage was found 30 metres below the summit. A passenger was found alive while 14 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew in the flight technique applied during the take-off phase, by not evaluating the performance of the aircraft, considering the high weight in front of the obstacles to climb over on the ascent trajectory.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- Errors presented in the dispatch, since the weights were not totaled correctly, possibly due to errors in the handling of cargo and unaccompanied luggage.
- Attitude of complacency on the part of the crew, due to excellent meteorological conditions that caused an excess of confidence in the planning of the flight on the part of the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-2 Skyservant in Taraira

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1996 at 1605 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO.28D Skyservant
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3982
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mitú – La Pedrera
MSN:
4169
YOM:
1973
Location:
Taraira
Vaupés
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4465
Copilot / Total hours on type:
300
Aircraft flight hours:
3217
Circumstances:
En route from Mitú to La Pedrera, weather conditions deteriorated. As the crew was unable to receive a last weather bulletin for the destination airport, he decided to divert to Taraira. Following a waiting period on the ground, the crew decided to takeoff but the soft runway surface was wet. Unable to gain sufficient speed, the crew abandoned the takeoff procedure but the aircraft overran and came to rest. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Decision by the crew to abort takeoff from an inappropriate field due to the wet conditions and soft surface which produced higher coefficients of friction and a lower acceleration factor that prevented reaching takeoff speed after which the crew determined to discontinue the takeoff without sufficient stopping distance, which led to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-2 Skyservant in San Vicente de Chucurí

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1996 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO.28D Skyservant
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos de Santander
Registration:
HK-4044
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bucaramanga – San Vicente de Chucurí
MSN:
4154
YOM:
1972
Location:
San Vicente de Chucurí
Santander
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1123
Aircraft flight hours:
3922
Circumstances:
On final approach to San Vicente de Chucurí Airport, the twin engine aircraft struck an earth mound located few metres short of runway threshold. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in trees. All nine occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Villavicencio

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1996 at 0835 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
LANC Colombia - Lineas Aéreas Norte de Colombia
Registration:
HK-2497
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Villavicencio - La Macarena
MSN:
15634/27079
YOM:
1945
Location:
Villavicencio
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2107
Copilot / Total hours on type:
353
Aircraft flight hours:
20486
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 1,900 feet, the captain reported severe vibrations with the left engine and was cleared to return. The crew shut down the left engine and started the approach to runway 22. But on final, he realized he could reach the airport so he completed a belly landing one km short of runway threshold. The aircraft came to rest in a field and was damaged beyond repair. All 20 occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the vibrations and the subsequent failure of the left engine was the consequence of a bad adjustment of the intake valves on cylinders n°8 and 9, which remained stuck in open position, causing high temperature and a loss of power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 757-223 near Buga: 159 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1995 at 2138 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 757-200
Operator:
Registration:
N651AA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Miami - Cali
MSN:
24609
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
AA965
Location:
Buga
Valle del Cauca
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
155
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
159
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2260.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5800
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2286
Aircraft flight hours:
13782
Aircraft flight cycles:
4922
Circumstances:
At about 18:34 EST, American Airlines Flight 965 took off from Miami for a flight to Cali. At 21:34, while descending to FL200, the crew contacted Cali Approach. The aircraft was 63 nm out of Cali VOR (which is 8nm South of the airport) at the time. Cali cleared the flight for a direct Cali VOR approach and report at Tulua VOR. Followed one minute later by a clearance for a straight in VOR DME approach to runway 19 (the Rozo 1 arrival). The crew then tried to select the Rozo NDB (Non Directional Beacon) on the Flight Management Computer (FMC). Because their Jeppesen approach plates showed 'R' as the code for Rozo, the crew selected this option. But 'R' in the FMC database meant Romeo. Romeo is a navaid 150nm from Rozo, but has the same frequency. The aircraft had just passed Tulua VOR when it started a turn to the left (towards Romeo). This turn caused some confusion in the cockpit since Rozo 1 was to be a straight in approach. 87 Seconds after commencing the turn, the crew activated Heading Select (HDG SEL), which disengaged LNAV and started a right turn. The left turn brought the B757 over mountainous terrain, so a Ground Proximity (GPWS) warning sounded. With increased engine power and nose-up the crew tried to climb. The spoilers were still activated however. The stick shaker then activated and the aircraft crashed into a mountain at about 8900 feet (Cali field elevation being 3153 feet).
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
1. The flightcrew's failure to adequately plan and execute the approach to runway 19 at SKCL and their inadequate use of automation.
2. Failure of the flightcrew to discontinue the approach into Cali, despite numerous cues alerting them of the inadvisability of continuing the approach.
3. The lack of situational awareness of the flightcrew regarding vertical navigation, proximity to terrain, and the relative location of critical radio aids.
4. Failure of the flightcrew to revert to basic radio navigation at the time when the FMS-assisted navigation became confusing and demanded an excessive workload in a critical phase of the flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F in Bogotá: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1995 at 0645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Pedro Gastón Roberto Rozo Gómez
Registration:
HK-913-P
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá-El Dorado – Bogotá-Guaymaral
MSN:
680-1234-120
YOM:
1963
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
612
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport at 0638LT. While climbing, the crew reported technical problems with the right engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While completing a left turn, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed near Empresa Triturados del Tolima, about 5 km north of the airport, some 7 minutes after takeoff. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control while completing a turn to return to the airport because the crew failed to recognize the aircraft's limits. Lack of crew training and experience was a contributing factor.
Final Report:
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