Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E near La Venturosa

Date & Time: Aug 4, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-867CP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
87 20 10
YOM:
1987
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed La Venturosa Airport on an illegal flight to Venezuela. It crashed in unknown circumstances about 145 km west-northwest of Puerto Ayacucho. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Boeing 747-200 in Medellin

Date & Time: Jun 7, 2006 at 0702 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N922FT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Medellín - Miami
MSN:
22768
YOM:
1982
Flight number:
TDX444
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
830.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
152
Aircraft flight hours:
78767
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Medellín-José María Córdova Airport runway 36 was initiated in rain falls. During the takeoff roll, the Engine Gas Temperature warning light came on, informing the crew about EGT problems on engines n°1 and 4. In the same time, the engine n°1 encountered technical problems. The captain decided to abort the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre despite the aircraft' speed was 12 knots above the V1 speed. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest about 150 metres further. All five crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The decision of the crew to abandon the takeoff procedure at a speed that was 12 knots above the V1 speed on a wet runway surface, following an EGT warning on engines n°1 and 4. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Failure of the crew to take into consideration the wet runway factor in the takeoff performances calculation,
- Absence of a flight dispatcher properly certified and qualified for the equipment,
- Failure of the engine number n°1 for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Gavilán 358 in Nueva Antioquia: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ARC-416
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Nueva Antioquia Airport, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed, killing all three occupants, two pilots and one passenger.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Cuchilla La Marimonda: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2006
Operator:
Registration:
YV-714CP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
680-1689-69
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Cuchilla La Marimonda. The wreckage was found nine days later, on February 12, in a mountainous area. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. A load of 600 kilos of cocaine was found among the debris.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Bogotá: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 2005 at 1045 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3069P
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bogotá - Puerto Berrío
MSN:
31-8352036
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
753
Captain / Total hours on type:
83.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
105
Aircraft flight hours:
2090
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bogotá-Guaymaral Airport runway 10, while in initial climb, the crew initiated a left turn in accordance with procedures. The copilot contacted ATC and declared an emergency following technical problems. The crew was immediately cleared to land at his discretion when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a prairie located 600 metres from the runway 28 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A possible fuel contamination affected the power on one engine or both. The aircraft was overloaded at takeoff, which, compounded by the considerable loss of power to the engines due to the altitude of the aerodrome, did not allow the pilot to maneuver the aircraft to return to the runway. In addition, the center of gravity, despite being within the permissible limits, was too far behind for an operation in adverse weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Miraflores

Date & Time: Jun 6, 2005 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-3462
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miraflores – San José del Guaviare – Villavicencio
MSN:
11759
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4699
Captain / Total hours on type:
240.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
228
Copilot / Total hours on type:
216
Aircraft flight hours:
4898
Circumstances:
The aircraft, chartered by the Colombian Army, was completing a special flight from Miraflores to Villavicencio with an intermediate stop in San José del Guaviare, carrying three crew members and a certain number of soldiers (around 25 but the exact number could not be confirmed). Shortly after takeoff from runway 20, while in initial climb, the left engine caught fire. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing and initiated a right turn when smoke entered the cabin. Shortly later, the left main gear detached and as the speed dropped, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located 2 km from the airport. All occupants were rescued, some were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
As the accident occurred in an area with hostile rebels, investigators were not able to reach the scene and to access to the wreckage and debris. Thus, the exact cause of the left engine failure could not be determined with certainty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in El Embrujo: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 2005 at 0951 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4146
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
El Embrujo – San Andrés
MSN:
90 24 26
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
YH9955
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
6038
Captain / Total hours on type:
145.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
868
Copilot / Total hours on type:
653
Aircraft flight hours:
6901
Circumstances:
The crew already completed four round trips the same morning on the same routing. During the takeoff roll from runway 35 at El Embrujo Airport, around V1 speed, the left engine speed. The crew continued the takeoff procedure while the speed dropped. Shortly after rotation, the aircraft rolled to the right to an angle of 135° then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area located 117 metres past the runway end. Both pilots and seven passengers were killed while five others passengers were injured.
Probable cause:
The non-observance of the procedures described for an engine failure after V1, especially those relating to the maintenance of safe takeoff speed of 84 knots, the retraction of the flaps, automatic operation of the landing gear lever and the use of contingency power. The erroneous operation of the fuel-flow-control lever (FCL) of engine number one, the move from the open to the closed position during the chain of events, which left the plane and the inappropriate use of the fuel-flow-control lever (FCL) of engine number two, to bring it to the MAX NG position in an attempt to obtain performance of the engine. Maintaining an attitude of the plane on take-off after nr. 2 engine failure with the consequent reduction of speed and then maintaining the aircraft in a climbing attitude, after an engine shutdown, which came at stall speed and the subsequent lack of control of the aircraft. The failure of the engine for undetermined reasons during the takeoff roll, after V1, which forced the crew to perform a series of emergency procedures to deal with the fault and continue with the initial climb. The absence or failure of resource management among flight crew members during the sequence of events. The unmeasurable reduction in the situational awareness of the crew as a result of the financial situation of the company and the divorce in which the Captain of the aircraft was involved.
Final Report:

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 in Cali

Date & Time: Jan 8, 2005 at 1548 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP-BGI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cartagena – Cali
MSN:
49940
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
RPB7463
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
164
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
41329
Aircraft flight cycles:
18037
Circumstances:
After landing at Cali-Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. It overrun the runway 19 (which is 9,842 feet long), lost its undercarriage, collided with the perimeter fence and came to rest on its belly. Six passengers were slightly injured while all other occupants escaped unhurt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a chain of errors and mistakes which began by accepting and carrying out a hasty descent that led to the omission of key points in the checklist such as the arming of the spoilers, excessive descent rate and speed and a configuration that led to faulty placement of the aircraft on the runway in abnormal conditions and 862 meters from the normal touchdown point. These conditions caused a vibration of the right main landing gear that could not be controlled by the Shimmy Damper, allowing higher loads to the strength of the undercarriage, which broke.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Medellín: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 2004 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1503
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Villavicencio - Medellín
MSN:
17064/34331
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
21490
Captain / Total hours on type:
370.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
305
Copilot / Total hours on type:
91
Aircraft flight hours:
27592
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Villavicencio on a cargo flight to Medellin-José María Córdova Airport with one passenger and two pilots on board. While descending to Medellín, the crew was informed about the poor weather conditions at destination (poor visibility due to fog) and decided to divert to Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport. On final approach, the aircraft descended too low when it struck a mountain located 13 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew took the decision to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions until the aircraft impacted terrain. Poor CRM and lack of situational awareness were considered as contributing factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-455 in Las Gaviotas

Date & Time: Jun 21, 2004 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1212
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Las Gaviotas – Puerto Carreño
MSN:
4987
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
50159
Circumstances:
Following technical problems, a DC-3 operated by Viarco diverted to Las Gaviotas Airport and was grounded. The operator send a second aircraft to Las Gaviotas to pick up the passengers. Shortly after takeoff from runway 24, while in initial climb, the right engine failed and caught fire. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. All 20 occupants were injured, six seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Rupture of a crank and subsequent total loss of power and fire in the right engine during rotation of the plane, which reduced the performance of the aircraft, causing the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, resulting in the immediate collision with the ground.