Shell | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine airplane departed Shell Airport at 1251LT for a local training exercice with a crew of three and 19 paratroopers on board. About an hour into the flight, the crew informed ground he was returning to his base due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area. All 22 occupants were killed. Up to date, this is the worst accident involving an IAI Arava 201.

Crash of a Vickers 785D Viscount near Shell: 57 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1979 at 0745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Viscount

Operator:

Registration:

HC-AVP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Quito - Cuenca

MSN:

329

YOM:

1957

Flight number:

EH011

Location:

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Circumstances:

The four engine airplane departed Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport at 0708LT on a schedule service (EH011) to Cuenca. While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 in clouds, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and disappeared from radar screens. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few day slater as no trace of the aircraft nor the 57 occupants was found. The wreckage was located about 5 years later in a mountainous area located in the region of Shell-Mera, province of Pastaza.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain. At the time of the accident, the airplane was off course by 25 nm for undetermined reasons.

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:

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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 in Shell: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1948

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

FAE502

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Shell - Shell

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Shell-Mera Airport. During the takeoff roll with both engines at full power, the aircraft swung to the right. The pilot in command over corrected so the aircraft veered off runway to the left, hit an earth mount and a tree stump before crashing into a building. While all three crew members were unhurt, an employee in the building was 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:

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Region:

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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.