Magdalena | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

An engine caught fire in flight, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a prairie near Guachaca and was destroyed. A crew member was killed while two other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

An engine caught fire in flight for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A/B off Santa Marta: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

HK-1389

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Santa Marta - Willemstad

MSN:

43519

YOM:

1952

Location:

Santa Marta-Simón Bolívar

Magdalena

Country:

Colombia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Santa Marta-Simón Bolívar Airport, while climbing, the crew informed ground about an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km offshore. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 in Pivijay

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1972 at 1225 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Acme Leasing

Registration:

N39393

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Panama City - Oranjestad

MSN:

4943

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a cargo flight from Panama City to Oranjestad, Aruba, the crew reported a smell of burning in the cabin and elected to divert to Pivijay Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown on a 850 meters long runway, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. It struck a perimeter fence and came to rest in a field. While both pilots were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Forced landing on airport following smell of burning in flight. The source of the fire could not be determined. It was reported that the crew landed too far down the runway, causing the braking distance to be insufficient.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster near El Banco: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1953

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

HK-131

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Barranquilla – Gamarra – Bogotá

MSN:

10374

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On the leg from Barranquilla to Gamarra, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located between the cities of El Banco and Curumaní, about 80 km north of Gamarra Airport. Both pilots, Cpt Santiago Paris (captain) and Cpt Guillermo Acevedo (copilot) were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Santa Bárbara de Pinto: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1950 at 1700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

HK-309

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Medellín – Barranquilla

Location:

Santa Bárbara de Pinto

Magdalena

Country:

Colombia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft left Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 1529LT on a cargo flight to Barranquilla. At 1635LT, the crew informed ground about his position at 9,000 feet vertical to San Marcos. Less than 30 minutes later, the airplane hit the slope of a mountain and crashed 20 km northeast of Santa Bárbara de Pinto. Both pilots were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Jacobo Torres, pilot 1.