Crash of a Vickers 745D Viscount in Medellín

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1708
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – San Andrés
MSN:
138
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 16,000 feet on a cargo flight from Bogotá to San Andrés Island, the crew encountered atmospheric turbulences when both artificial horizons failed. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent but the crew was able to regain control at an altitude of 4,000. The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to divert to Medellín-José Maria Cordova Airport where the aircraft landed safely. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was written off. Post accident inspection showed substantial airframe damage including a crack in the lower main spar boom extending across 35% of its chord. It is believed that the initial damage had been caused by a landing gear collapse 14 February 1988 which was then exacerbated by the loss of control during the turbulence on this flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A near Bogotá

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1991 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1702
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Arauca
MSN:
44670
YOM:
1955
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was chartered by the Colombian Army to transfer 80 soldiers from Bogotá to Arauca. They were seating on the cabin floor with their equipment. In the morning, the crew encountered technical problems after takeoff from Bogotá Airport and was forced to return. After repairs were completed, the aircraft departed again before noon. During initial climb, the engine n°1 caught fire. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return when the fire spread to the engine n°2. The captain realized he could not reach the airport so he attempted an emergency landing in a pasture located 16 km from the airfield. The aircraft belly landed and slid for about 400 meters before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 85 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Failure and explosion of engine n°1 for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 200 on Mt San Nicolás: 16 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1990 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1150
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Quibdó – Bogotá
MSN:
303
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft christened 'El Isleño' departed Quibdó-El Caraño Airport at 1243LT on a flight to Bogotá, carrying 12 passengers and for crew members. While cruising at an altitude of 11,500 pieds, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt San Nicolás. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 16 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew may have got disoriented while flying in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 690C Jetprop 840 in Colombia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1990
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2478W
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Cali – Bogotá
MSN:
690-11609
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while on a flight from Cali to Bogotá. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle near Pasca: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1990 at 1350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EJC-102
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Neiva – Bogotá
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Neiva Airport at 1300LT on a flight to Bogotá. En route, the crew declared an emergency when the aircraft crashed on Mt El Peñón located in the region of Pasca. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream IC in Montería

Date & Time: May 2, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3316X
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
59
YOM:
1960
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in charter flight in Colombia on behalf of the National Bank of Colombia, carrying four passengers, two pilots and a load of bank notes. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed too far down the runway 32 (1,860 meters long) at Montería-Los Garzones Airport. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its nose gear and both engines and came to rest 95 meters further. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Poor approach and landing planning on part of the crew who continued the approach at a too high altitude, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. Poor crew coordination and the failure of the crew to initiate a go-around were considered a contributing factors.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Alto de la Cabra: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-3382P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
404-0671
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed on a mountain located near Alto de la Cabra, about 30 km southwest of Bogotá. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 695A Jetprop 1000 in Llanos del Yarí: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1990
Registration:
HK-3278
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
695-96073
YOM:
1984
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was carrying five mechanics and two pilots and was completing a post maintenance test flight. In unknown circumstances, it struck the slope of a mountain near Llanos del Yarí. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream GI in Ibagué: 15 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1990 at 0837 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3315X
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bogotá – Neiva – Ibagué
MSN:
24
YOM:
1959
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While approaching Ibagué-Perales Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was unable to locate the runway. In such conditions, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure and informed ATC that he would divert to the alternate airport if a second attempt-to-land would be abandoned. Few minutes later, while flying at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Saludo located 5,6 km west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 15 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the aircraft deviated from the published go-around route for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Boeing 727-100 in Bogota: 110 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1989 at 0716 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1803
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bogotá - Cali
MSN:
19035
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
AV203
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
101
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
110
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the crew was cleared to climb to FL130 when the aircraft suffered an explosion. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a huge explosion near Soacha, about 16 km south of Bogotá Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 107 occupants were killed as well as three people on the ground.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a bomb was placed on board under the seat 14F by a Colombian narcotic cartel.