San Martín | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Tarapoto-Comandante Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport, while climbing, the airplane lost height, stalled and crashed. All four crew members were killed. The airplane was completing a cargo flight to Lima on behalf of Servicio Aéreo de Transportes Comerciales (SATCO) and had a dual registration FAP395 and OB-R-1004.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an engine failure, maybe a multiple engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D near Moyobamba: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1972 at 1620 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

OB-R-653

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Chiclayo - Moyobamba - Tarapoto

MSN:

17102/34369

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed Chiclayo Airport at 1524LT on a cargo flight to Tarapoto with an intermediate stop in Moyobamba. At 1615LT, the crew contacted ATC to obtain traffic and weather information for Moyobamba Airport. Five minutes later, while cruising in clouds, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Killukichu. The wreckage was found few hours later and all six occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude and under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Douglas RC-54V Skymaster on Mt Pumacona: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

OB-R-776

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Trujillo - Juanjuí

MSN:

10591

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

En route to Juanjuí, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the four engine airplane was off course when it struck the slope of Mt Pumacona (3,200 meters high). The wreckage was found few hours later and all 28 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain caused by an error of navigation on part of the flying crew. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Pilot error,
- The mental state of the pilot-in-command adversely affected his judgment and efficiency,
- Poor ATC assistance,
- Poor weather conditions (low visibility),
- Inadequate navigation aids along the route.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Rioja: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1966

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Trans Peruana

Registration:

OB-R-606

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Chiclayo – Rioja – Chachapoyas

MSN:

33477

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

While descending to Rioja Airport on a cargo flight from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas via Rioja, the airplane struck a mountain side located few km from the airport. All three crew members were killed. The airplane was carrying 5 tons of various goods.

Crash of a De Havilland U-1A Otter in Rioja: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1964

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Operator:

Registration:

57-6117

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

243

YOM:

1958

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance mission after a Peruvian Air Force Alouette was missing. While flying at low height, the single engine airplane struck a tree and crashed in a wooded area. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-25-CU Commando in Moyobamba

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

OB-QAL-487

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

26656

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

After touchdown, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest against a radio mast. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Rioja: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1958

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

FAP484

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Rioja – Cajamarca

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Rioja Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed. All 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 14-H2 Super Electra in Tarapoto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 14 Super Electra

Operator:

Registration:

OB-QAG-338

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tarapoto – Lima

MSN:

1451

YOM:

1938

Location:

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Circumstances:

Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft nosed up, stalled and crashed. All three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the cargo shifted shortly after rotation, causing the center of gravity to move forward and the aircraft to nose up. In such conditions, the crew was unable to maintain an adequate control of the airplane that crashed.