Region
South America

Crash of a Beechcraft 350 Super King Air near Uribe: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 2010 at 2306 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 350 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-5747
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
FL-454
YOM:
2005
Location:
Uribe
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a reconnaissance and survey mission over the southern Colombia territory, carrying six crew members. At 2306LT, the last radio contact was recorded with the crew. In unknown circumstances, while cruising at an altitude of 10,600 feet, the aircraft impacted terrain near Uribe. The wreckage was found four days later, on September 11. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 737-73V in San Andrés: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 2010 at 0147 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-700
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4682
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá – San Andrés
MSN:
32416/1270
YOM:
2002
Flight number:
ARE8250
Location:
San Andrés-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
San Andrés, Providencia & Santa Catalina
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
125
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7643
Captain / Total hours on type:
343.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1900
Copilot / Total hours on type:
800
Aircraft flight hours:
23485
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport at 0007LT on a night schedule service to San Andres Island, carrying 125 passengers and a crew of six. While approaching San Andres-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Due to heavy rain falls, the crew was informed by ATC that the visibility dropped to 4 km. On short final, flaps were selected down to 30° then the autopilot system was deactivated. After passing 500 feet on approach, the captain repeated the procedures in case of a go-around would be needed due to windshear conditions. Shortly later, the copilot shouted 'go-around' but half a second later, the airplane impacted ground 49 metres short of runway. On impact, the undercarriage and both engines were torn off. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, broken in three. Two passengers were killed while 129 other occupants were injured, nine seriously.
Probable cause:
Execution of the flight below the angle of approach, due to a misjudgment of the crew, believing to be much higher, leading the aircraft to fly a typical trajectory of a 'black hole' illusion, which was experienced during the night-time approach to a runway with low contrast surrounded in bright focused lights, aggravated by bad weather of heavy rain.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer ERJ-145LR in Mitú

Date & Time: May 5, 2010 at 1049 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer ERJ-145
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1173
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Villavicencio - Mitú
MSN:
145-879
YOM:
2005
Flight number:
NSE9634
Location:
Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley
Vaupés
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10254
Captain / Total hours on type:
1060.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1061
Copilot / Total hours on type:
806
Aircraft flight hours:
9095
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 20 (1,760 meters long) at Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran at a speed of 52 knots, went through a fence, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a prairie some 163 metres further. All 41 occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was registered FAC-1173 (military) and HK-4536 (civil).
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew. Execution of the landing procedure on runway 20 despite the fact that aircraft was unstable on approach. At runway threshold, the aircraft altitude was too high and its speed upon touchdown was excessive (132 knots). The airplane touched down 562 metres past the runway threshold, well beyond the touchdown zone. All brakes systems were activated but the upper right thrust reverser deployed and retracted shortly later due to technical reasons, which was considered as a contributory factor. The following factors also contributed to the mishap:
- Poor techniques used by the pilot-in-command on approach and after touchdown,
- Deviation from standard operating procedures (SOP),
- Non-adherence to published procedures,
- No reaction or corrective action to the EGPWS alarm.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in Capurganá

Date & Time: Jun 26, 2009 at 1726 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4094
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Medellín – Capurganá
MSN:
86 17 07
YOM:
1986
Location:
Capurganá
Chocó
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16100
Captain / Total hours on type:
244.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1030
Copilot / Total hours on type:
556
Aircraft flight hours:
11771
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 1610LT on a charter flight to Capurganá, carrying 16 passengers and two pilots. After landing on runway 03 at Capurganá-Narcisa Navas Airport, the aircraft deviated to the left. It veered off runway, rolled through a grassy area then collided with a perimeter fence and came to rest against a tree. All 18 occupants were rescued, among them three were injured, the captain seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after touchdown following the execution of an unstabilized approach. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Low situational awareness on part of the crew during the approach and landing procedures,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Absence of sterile cockpit,
- Total ignorance of the crew regarding the landing distance needed.
Final Report:

Ground explosion of a Basler BT-67 in Medellín

Date & Time: Feb 18, 2009 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Basler BT-67
Operator:
Registration:
PNC-0211
Flight Phase:
Parking
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Medellín – Quibdó
MSN:
25667
YOM:
1944
Location:
Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera
Antioquia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Parked on the apron at Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, the aircraft was prepared for a flight to Quibdó with two pilots and 25 policemen from the Escuadrón Móvil Antidisturbios (ESMAD). While the people were boarding the airplane, an explosion occurred. The aircraft was destroyed but there was no serious injuries among the 27 people. It is believed that the explosion was caused by the inadvertent detonation of a grenade used by one of the policemen.

Crash of a Basler BT-67 in Palanquero: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 2009 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Basler BT-67
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1670
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Palanquero - Palanquero
MSN:
19125
YOM:
1943
Location:
Palanquero
Caldas
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
One instructor and four student pilots were engaged in a training mission from Palanquero-German Olano Airport. In unknown circumstances, the converted turboprop DC-3 crashed 8 km from the airport. All five occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Planeta Rica: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 2008 at 1825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Taxi Aéreo Caribeño
Registration:
HK-1697
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Medellín – Montería
MSN:
500-3198
YOM:
1974
Location:
Planeta Rica
Córdoba
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:
12153
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
18
Aircraft flight hours:
6179
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 1745LT on a cargo flight to Montería, carrying two pilots and a load of bovine embryos. The flight to Montería was completed at FL130 then the crew was cleared to start the descent to Montería-Los Garzones Airport. At an altitude of 7,500 feet on descent, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located in Verada Arroyo, near Planeta Rica. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in altitude for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-8-301 in Barranquilla

Date & Time: Aug 23, 2008 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-8-300 (Dash-8)
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3952
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Willemstad – Barranquilla
MSN:
169
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
ARE051
Location:
Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz (ex Soledad)
Atlántico
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7003
Captain / Total hours on type:
6691.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
781
Aircraft flight hours:
31260
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Willemstad-Hato Airport, the crew started the approach to Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport runway 23. The aircraft landed 770 metres past the runway threshold. After touchdown, the crew noticed vibrations coming from the right side of the aircraft when the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest on the main runway. All 31 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fracture of the ring of the mechanical stop of the shock absorber on the right main gear, turning the whole gear into a solid structure incapable of absorbing the landing loads, due to the non-incorporation of the Airworthiness Directive AD-2006-14 in the general repair of the main gear.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor off San Andrés

Date & Time: Jul 26, 2008 at 1052 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Juan García Martínez
Registration:
XB-JBD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Salvador – San Andrés – Barranquilla
MSN:
414-0253
YOM:
1971
Location:
San Andrés-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
San Andrés, Providencia & Santa Catalina
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1196
Aircraft flight hours:
4480
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed San Salvador-Ilopango Airport on a private flight to Barranquilla with an intermediate stop in San Andrés Island, carrying one passenger and one pilot. On final approach to San Andrés-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport runway 06, the left engine failed. The pilot increased power on the right engine but the aircraft continued to lose height. The pilot ditched the aircraft near the coast. Both occupants evacuated safely and were quickly rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine on final due to fuel exhaustion. It remained a total of 3 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank and 23 gallons in the right main tank.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 747-209BSF in Bogotá: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 2008 at 0352 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 747-200
Operator:
Registration:
N714CK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá – Miami
MSN:
22446/519
YOM:
1981
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8874
Captain / Total hours on type:
2874.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
11373
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2853
Aircraft flight hours:
90613
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, while climbing by night, the crew informed ATC about engine problems and was cleared for an immediate return. After the crew realized he could not make it, he attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft collided with a farm and crashed in an open field. While all 8 crew members were injured (five seriously), two people in the farm were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces.
Probable cause:
The inability of the accident aircraft to maintain flight after the loss of power of two engines.
The following contributing factors were identified:
A non-recoverable surge on the engine n°4 during the rotation, resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the surge were the combined effects of the inefficient high pressure turbine, excessive blade-tip clearance, reduced cord of the fan blades and of the leading edges and the effects of high altitude. An undetermined anomaly in the engine n°1, which manifested itself during the extra power, resulted in loss of engine power. Contributing to the loss of engine power was inadequate n°1 operation to maintain the proper speed during the ascent of the aircraft, resulting in extra power use and, in turn, exposing the anomaly of the engine.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Colombia