Tungurahua | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following an uneventful flight from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew started the descent to Ambato Airport in good weather conditions but was stressed by the presence of another aircraft in the approach area. On approach, the aircraft was too high on the glide and its speed was 100 knots, about 12 knots above the reference speed. This caused the aircraft to land too far down the runway 19, about 900 metres past the runway threshold (Ambato's runway 19 is 2,000 metres long). After touchdown, the crew decided to initiate a go-around procedure and increased engine power. The aircraft adopted a high angle of attack, causing the base of the empennage to struck the runway surface. Out of control, the aircraft continued, overran and came to rest in a ravine located 60 metres past the runway end. All seven occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The following findings were reported:
- Wrong approach configuration as the aircraft was too high on the glide with an excessive speed,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available,
- Poor flight planning,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The copilot failed to calculate properly the approach and landing speeds,
- The captain was not aware of the total weight of the aircraft upon landing,
- The operator failed to train the crew according to the specificities related to Ambato Airport,
- The operator failed to prepare documentation required for the operations at Ambato Airport,
- When the crew initiated the go-around procedure, the aircraft' speed was insufficient, and the input on the control column was sudden, causing the base of the empennage to struck the runway surface.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Ambato: 17 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1994

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Registration:

FAE450

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Taura - Latacunga

MSN:

436

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Taura to Latacunga, the crew was cleared to climb to FL155 when, at an altitude of 13,400 feet, the twin engine aircraft stuck the slope of Mt Lozan shrouded in clouds. All 17 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 100 metres below the summit.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Baños de Agua Santa: 20 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1974 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

HC-AUC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Shell Mera – Ambato

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

17 minutes after its takeoff from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, while flying by night at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain with its left wing that was partially torn off. Out of control, the airplane crashed near Baños de Agua Santa. The wreckage was found the following morning and five injured people were evacuated while 20 other occupants were killed, among them two crew members.

Probable cause:

Investigations were able to determine that the following factors contributed to the accident:
- Failure of the crew to adhere to the minima safe altitude fixed at 12,500 feet,
- Failure of the crew to follow the 275° heading from Rio Negro to Baños de Agua Santa,
- Overconfidence on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Possible distraction of the flight crew due to the presence of a tourist guide in the cockpit.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 21 in Salasaca: 34 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 170 Freighter

Operator:

Registration:

HC-SBU

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Shell – Ambato

MSN:

12739

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

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 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:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 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.