South America | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine aircraft departed La Paz-El Alto Airport on a flight to Santa Cruz, carrying two pilots and two technicians. After takeoff, the crew declared an emergency after the right engine failed during initial climb and was cleared to return. On final, the aircraft crashed 500 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 208A Caravan 675 in Estancia Las Cruces: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 2000 at 0800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208A Caravan

Operator:

Taxval

Registration:

LV-ZSR

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Estancia Las Cruces - San Fernando

MSN:

208-0311

YOM:

1999

Location:

Estancia Las Cruces

Buenos Aires province

Country:

Argentina

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

121

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Estancia Las Cruces Airport, while climbing in foggy conditions, the aircraft lost height and impacted ground in a wooded area located about 3 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The aircraft impacted ground after takeoff while in instrument conditions. The pilot was not qualified nor trained for this type of flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Mojotoro: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 2000 at 0925 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Registration:

LV-MEW

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Orán – Salta

MSN:

402B-1310

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

890

Captain / Total hours on type:

83.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

680

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Orán Airport at 0845LT on an executive flight to Salta, carrying two passengers and two pilots. At 0910LT, while flying under VFR mode, the crew reported his position over Moxat at an altitude of 8,000 feet. At 0923LT, he informed ATC about his position 15NM northeast of Salta Airport and was instructed to contact Salta Tower. Shortly later, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain (Finca el Desmonde) located near Mojotoro. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the descent under VFR mode in IMC conditions. It was reported that both pilots have the qualifications for IFR flight but were never trained to fly in such conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirante in Envira

Date & Time: Jan 31, 2000 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

Operator:

Registration:

PP-EAM

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tefé - Eirunepé

MSN:

110-498

YOM:

1990

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4800

Captain / Total hours on type:

4000.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2000

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1600

Circumstances:

En route from Tefé to Eirunépé, weather conditions deteriorated and the crew decided to divert to the non controlled Envira Airport. Following a visual approach in heavy rain falls, the aircraft landed 500 metres past the runway threshold. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure but the aircraft encountered aquaplaning conditions and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest 100 metres further in a ravine. The captain was seriously injured, the copilot suffered minor injuries and all 16 passengers escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

The aircraft suffered aquaplaning after landing and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The operator authorized the crew to divert to an unapproved airport with an aircraft weighing more than the limits specified in the operations manual without performing adequate supervision in the execution of the flight;
- Deviations on part of the crew;
- Lack of Crew Resources Management;
- Lack of crew coordination and communication;
- Lack of crew instruction and training on part of the operator;
- Poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls;
- The runway surface was wet and the aircraft suffered aquaplaning;
- The aircraft was overloaded;
- The landing was completed with a tailwind component;
- The crew failed to perform the approach briefing according to published procedures.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130B Hercules in Chimore: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 2000 at 1216 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

TAM-60

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Chimore - Trinidad

MSN:

3559

YOM:

1960

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll on runway 35 at Chimore Airport, about 600 meters from the end, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway to the left, impacted a drainage ditch (3 metres deep) and crashed in a wooded area. Five occupants were killed while 26 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-42D in Valencia: 22 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1999 at 2015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Yakovlev Yak-42

Operator:

Registration:

CU-T1285

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Havana - Valencia

MSN:

49 14 068

YOM:

1989

Flight number:

CU310

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The three engine aircraft departed Havana Airport on a special flight to Valencia-Arturo Michelena Airport with 12 passengers and 10 crew members on board. They were on their way to Valencia to pick up Cuban rescuers who were recently dispatched in Venezuela to help local authorities following heavy floods that killed more than 10,000 people. Following a holding circuit of about 40 minutes, the crew was cleared to descend from 8,000 feet to 4,000 feet when, on final, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt San Luis located 12 km short of runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 22 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew started the descent prematurely and continued below the minimum safe altitude until the aircraft impacted terrain. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to the night.

Crash of a Cessna 208A Caravan I in João Pessoa

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1999 at 1950 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208A Caravan

Operator:

Registration:

PT-OHA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

João Pessoa – Recife

MSN:

208-0097

YOM:

1986

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1900.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

6000

Copilot / Total hours on type:

2100

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from João Pessoa-Presidente Castro Pinto Airport, while on a cargo flight to Recife, the crew reported engine problems and elected to return. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crashed near a motorway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure due to poor maintenance. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Maintenance procedures not followed by the operator mechanics,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Lack of crew training.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near La Montañita: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1999 at 0750 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

HK-2581

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Orito – Villavicencio

MSN:

15561/27006

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3041

Captain / Total hours on type:

3041.00

Aircraft flight hours:

17897

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Orito at 0740LT on a cargo flight to Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport, carrying two passengers and three crew members. Nine minutes after takeoff, while flying in poor weather conditions, the crew reported to ATC they were passing 7,500 feet and was cleared to climb to 11,500 feet. One minute later, radar contact was lost. The aircraft disintegrated in the air and crashed in a field near La Montañita. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in San Carlos: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1999 at 1420 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

EV8012

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

La Carlota – Acarigua

MSN:

062

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from La Carlota to Acarigua, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near San Carlos. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Recife

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1999 at 0745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Operator:

Celso Tinoco Taxi Aéreo

Registration:

PP-SEA

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Recife – Patos – Sousa – Mossoró – Caicó – Currais Novos – Recife

MSN:

500-1801-16

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4000

Captain / Total hours on type:

600.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

500

Copilot / Total hours on type:

100

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Recife-Guararapes Airport in the early morning on a round cargo trip with a load of medicines. Complete stops were made in Patos, Sousa, Mossoró, Caicó and Currais Novos. On the last leg from Currais Novos to Recife, while approaching Recife-Guararapes Airport, both engines failed simultaneously after a total flight of 3 hours and 50 minutes. The crew declared an emergency and attempted to land immediately when the aircraft collided with trees and power cables before crashing in a wooded area located 17 km short of runway 18. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure on final approach due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor flight preparation and planning,
- The crew was overconfident,
- The crew miscalculated the total fuel quantity needed for the entire mission,
- Wrong fuel consumption calculation,
- Taxing time and wind component were not taken into consideration in the fuel consumption calculation,
- Incorrect values relative to the aircraft performances,
- Poor crew resources management.

Final Report:

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