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Caquetá

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Araracuara: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 2014 at 1505 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4755
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Araracuara – Florencia
MSN:
31-7952044
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
792
Captain / Total hours on type:
523.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
211
Aircraft flight hours:
14601
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Araracuara Airport runway 09 at 1503LT on a charter flight to Florencia, carrying eight passengers and two pilots. During initial climb, the right engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a wooded area. The wreckage was found 8,2 km from the airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 10 occupants were killed, among them a Swiss citizen.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb following the failure of the right engine for undetermined reasons.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew failed to follow the published procedures when the right engine failed,
- The aircraft was likely operated with a total weight above MTOW,
- A poor risk assessment while performing an operation outside of the aircraft's performance limits.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near San Vincente del Caguán: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 2014 at 1202 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4700
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Villavicencio – Florencia
MSN:
9700
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
10233
Captain / Total hours on type:
9950.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4417
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3812
Aircraft flight hours:
27771
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Villavicencio on a cargo flight to Florencia, carrying three passengers, two pilots and a load consisting of 2,540 kg of various goods. While cruising under VFR mode at an altitude of 6,500 feet, weather conditions worsened and the crew attempted to modify his route when the aircraft impacted ground and crashed in a wooded and mountainous area located some 45 km north of San Vincente del Caguán, near Uribe. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain. The crew failed to evaluate properly the risks and the danger of poor weather conditions and decided to perform the flight in VFR mode. While cruising in IMC and failing to check the minimum prescribed altitude, the crew suffered a loss of situational awareness, causing the aircraft to hit he mountainous terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Caravan near El Paujil: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 2003 at 1920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5512B
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Larandia - Larandia
MSN:
208B-0299
YOM:
1992
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Bogotá on a flight to Larandia AFB where it was refueled. On board were one passenger and two pilots who were taking part to an anti-narcotic program on behalf of the US and Colombian Governments. The aircraft departed Larandia AFB at 1906LT on a reconnaissance flight to find three Americans who were taken hostage by FARC rebels after the crash of a first Cessna 208 operated by One Leasing last February 13. About 14 minutes into the flight, while cruising by night at an altitude of 4,500 feet in limited visibility, the aircraft struck a tree and crashed, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found on the slope of Mt La Sonora and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in El Para: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 2003 at 0843 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1116G
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá - Florencia
MSN:
208B-0402
YOM:
1994
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was completing a survey flight over the Florencia area on behalf of the US Government, carrying four US citizens and one Colombian taking part to an anti-narcotic program. Eight minutes prior to its arrival in Floriencia, while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed on the slope of a mountain located near El Para, bursting into flames. All five occupants survived the accident but when FARC soldiers arrived on the scene, they shot down both pilots and captured all three other occupants. The bodies of both pilots were repatriated to the US few days later while the three hostages were released more than five years later in July 2008.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the engine failed after the turbine overheated in flight.

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 300 in Tres Esquinas

Date & Time: Dec 5, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1251
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Tres Esquinas
MSN:
450
YOM:
1991
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Bogotá on a flight to Tres Esquinas, carrying a team of engineers who were involved in the refurbishment of the runway at Tres Esquinas Airport. On final approach, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located 3 km short of runway. Two occupants were injured.

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

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1999 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2581
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Orito – Villavicencio
MSN:
15561/27006
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
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 a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Florencia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1993
Registration:
CP-1622
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
13336
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Florencia-Gustavo Artunduaga Paredes Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The aircraft lost height and crashed near the runway end, killing both pilots.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine shortly after rotation for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 695A Jetprop 1000 in Llanos del Yarí: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1990
Registration:
HK-3278
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
695-96073
YOM:
1984
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was carrying five mechanics and two pilots and was completing a post maintenance test flight. In unknown circumstances, it struck the slope of a mountain near Llanos del Yarí. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 3000 in Florencia: 46 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1985 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1140
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá – Neiva – San Vicente del Caguán – Florencia
MSN:
11165
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
46
Aircraft flight hours:
1327
Aircraft flight cycles:
2288
Circumstances:
En route from San Vicente del Caguán to Florencia, the last leg of the trip, the crew was informed that the Florencia-Gustavo Artunduaga Paredes Airport was closed to traffic due to insufficient visibility caused by dense fog. Nevertheless, the crew attempted an approach and initiated a descent. The last radio contact was recorded 10 minutes prior to the accident when the aircraft was at an altitude of 3,600 feet. On final, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain shrouded in clouds and located 15 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 46 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the approach in below-minima weather conditions.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-35-CU Commando in the Orteguaza River

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-388
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Medellín - Barranquilla
MSN:
26796
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport on a cargo flight to Barranquilla-Soledad, carrying six passengers and three crew members. En route, the aircraft was hijacked by four people who wanted to be flown on a remote airstrip located in the Guajira Peninsula. Four to five tons of weapons were loaded on board the airplane that departed and flew to the region of Florencia. The crew was forced to land in the Orteguaza River, about 7 km east of Florencia. The airplane came to rest in shallow waters, all weapons were offloaded and the aircraft was abandoned. The crew were released by the hijackers on November 10, 1981.
Probable cause:
Forced landing in water after being hijacked.