Region
South America

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK in Pastaza: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1965 at 1102 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AFQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Coca – Pastaza
MSN:
17009/34272
YOM:
1945
Location:
Pastaza
Pastaza
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
4946
Copilot / Total flying hours:
330
Aircraft flight hours:
10982
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off from Coca Airport at 1020 hours local time on a scheduled domestic flight to Pastaza, a distance of 100 miles. The flight was to take approximately 45 minutes. At 1052 hours the pilot reported over Arajuno, approximately 12 minutes before its ETA at Pastaza, indicating that he was flying at 4 500 ft, mainly IFR. Thereafter the weather conditions further deteriorated and the aircraft finally entered a poor weather zone with continuous rain. At approximately 1102 hours it collided with trees and then crashed. Two passengers survived while 9 other occupants were killed, among them all three crew members.
Probable cause:
The accident was due to adverse weather conditions and imprudence on the part of the pilot who changed from VFR to IFR flight without having the requisite navigation aids for the type of flight he was carrying out. Among the contributing causes were the following: failure to consult the weather report and errors in the airline office, possible overconfidence on the part of the pilot in that he carried out the flight knowing that the radio beacon was inoperative, and presumed negligence on the part of the airport commandant, who failed to declare the aerodrome closed when conditions were below the meteorological minima.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R4D-1 on Antisana Volcano: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1964 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
17105
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Putamayo River
MSN:
11918
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mt Antisana
Napo
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the airplane crashed in flames on the slope of the Antisana Volcano. One of the pilot was killed while all other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. The crew was completing a flight to the Putamayo River on behalf of the US Government in Ecuador.

Crash of a Fairchild F-27A near Quito: 37 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild F27
Operator:
Registration:
HC-ADV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Guayaquil – Quito
MSN:
1
YOM:
1958
Location:
Quito
Pichincha
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
37
Circumstances:
While approaching Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 16 km from the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 37 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-50-DK near Quito: 18 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1960 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
45-1109
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Humanitarian
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bogotá – Quito
MSN:
17112/34379
YOM:
1945
Location:
Quito
Pichincha
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
The USAF C-47 was performing a humanitarian flight from Bogotá to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport on behalf of the US Mission. While descending to the airport at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the crew encountered low visibility due to clouds when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Pichincha. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 18 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the approach under VFR mode in IFR conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL on Mt Illiniza: 32 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1958 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HC-ACL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Guayaquil – Quito
MSN:
19779
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
AR222
Location:
Mt Illiniza (24 Mayo)
Cotopaxi
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Captain / Total flying hours:
7402
Circumstances:
Flight 222 left Guayaquil at 0806 hours on a scheduled non-stop flight to Quito. The aircraft carried 32 persons, including 3 crew members and an infant. It was cleared to climb IFR on the Guayaquil-Esmeraldas track on a heading of 358°, then to continue in visual contact to Quito, after cancellation of the IFR flight. At 0819 the pilot contacted ATC and gave his estimated arrival over Manta radio beacon at 0841. One minute later the pilot reported at 4,000 feet, maintaining this altitude. At 0830 clearance was requested for a further IFR climb and the aircraft was told to wait. At 0836 clearance to climb was again requested and at 0840 clearance was given to climb IFR to 5,000 feet on the Guayaquil-Esmeraldas track. The pilot reported at 0841 as being over Manta beacon at 5,000 feet and estimated arrival at Quito at 0916. Clearance was granted for a climb to above the clouds on the same track. This was the last contact with the aircraft which, presumably, continued to fly in cloud without breaking through on top until it crashed at an altitude of 2,300 metres ( 7,500 feet) in the western mountains of the Chugchilán Range, killing all occupants.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident is that the pilot did not follow the 358° Guayaquii-Esmeraldas track, authorized for instrument flight, until clear of cloud, but probably assumed a heading of 250° as soon as he left Guayaquil, in order to fly the most direct route between Guayaquil and Quito. In so doing while on instruments, he deviated from the Guayaquil-Esmeraldas track at too low an altitude to clear the Chugchilán Range before him with an adequate safety margin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3m in Quito: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Junkers JU.52
Operator:
Registration:
HC-SND
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Quito – Esmeraldas
MSN:
5109
YOM:
1935
Location:
Quito
Pichincha
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew reported engine trouble and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft stalled and crashed few km from the airfield and came to rest. Three passengers were killed while 11 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of one or more engine after takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson V in Tulcán

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
HC-SJO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Quito – Tulcán
MSN:
MDF-117
Location:
Tulcán-Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla
Carchi
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Tulcán Airport. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson V in La Rinconada: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
HC-SJN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
MDF-182
Location:
La Rinconada
Santa Elena
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot, sole on board. He was performing a cargo flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Catamayo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
FAE503
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Catamayo (ex Camilo Ponce Enríquez)
Loja
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On approach to Catamayo Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames, killing both pilots, Col Ernesto Delgado Mosquera and Cpt Galo Torres Moreano.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Simiátug: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HK-120
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bogota – Quito – Guayaquil
MSN:
4314
YOM:
1941
Location:
Simiátug
Bolívar
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While cruising southwest of Ambato, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a mountainous area located near Simiátug, about 21 km northwest of the Chimborazo volcano. The wreckage was found two days later and all 15 occupants have been killed.
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