Ecuador | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine aircraft was performing a short charter flight from Shell-Mera Airport, in the Pastaza Province, to Ambato-Chachoán Airport, carrying a crew of three and 31 passengers who were going to Ambato to visit their families who suffered an earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people a day before. On final approach from the south in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit a hill located in Salasaca, some 11 km short of runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 35 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

For undetermined reason, the crew was continuing the approach below the minimum prescribed altitude.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Quito

Date & Time: May 13, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Transandina Ecuador

Registration:

HC-SIB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

33480

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Right after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 on Mt Tungurahua: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1949 at 1100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

Descending to Ambato Airport in poor weather conditions, while at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the aircraft hit the slope of the Tungurahua volcano located 31 km southeast of the airport. All thirteen occupants were killed.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose into the Río Pastaza: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

HC-SBV

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1018

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a test flight when the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Río Pastaza. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Fergusson, pilot,
F/O Harold Riggs, flight engineer.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose into the Río Villano

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

HC-SBB

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

1005

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Río Villano, affluent of the Río Curaray. The seaplane was destroyed and both crew members were injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Guayaquil: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

NC54335

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

20217

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Nine crew members (pilots from the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and engineers of AECA) were completing a delivery flight from the US to Guayaquil. On final approach, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances on a river bank located few dozen yards short of runway 21 threshold. Two crew members were killed while seven others were injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Shell: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1948

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

FAE502

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Shell - Shell

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Shell-Mera Airport. During the takeoff roll with both engines at full power, the aircraft swung to the right. The pilot in command over corrected so the aircraft veered off runway to the left, hit an earth mount and a tree stump before crashing into a building. While all three crew members were unhurt, an employee in the building was killed.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Ecuador

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Ford 5

Operator:

Registration:

HC-SBK

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

MSN:

5-AT-067

YOM:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

Crashed somewhere in Ecuador. Occupant fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Guayaquil

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

C-204

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

19725

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Guayaquil Airport, the left engine caught fire. The crew elected to return but the captain realized this was not possible. He ditch the aircraft into the Rio Guayas, off the Santay Island. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Baños de Agua Santa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

HC-SBL

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Shell – Quito

MSN:

1106

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Few minutes after his departure from Shell-Mera Airport, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions. While approaching the valley of Baños de Agua Santa, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain and was destroyed on impact. All five occupants were killed.