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Crash of a Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VI-R in Guayaquil: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BAT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Quito
MSN:
125
YOM:
1962
Flight number:
WB832
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
94
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Guayaquil-Simon Bolivar Airport runway 21, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The pilot informed ATC about the situation and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the right engine lost power and the airplane lost height and crashed in a swampy area short of runway threshold. A crew member and seven passengers were killed while 20 other occupants were injured. 72 other occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined. However, the day prior to the accident, the captain proceeded to a test flight following an engine overhaul and noted that the power was insufficient and that the engine failed to respond properly. Engines were rechecked by ground personnel and it was noted in the log book there was no anomalies.

Crash of a Vickers 828 Viscount in Cuenca

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-ATV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guayaquil – Cuenca
MSN:
458
YOM:
1962
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane landed long on runway 23 with an excessive speed. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure but the captain realized he could not stop the aircraft on the remaining distance. Thus he elected to steer the aircraft to the right of the runway. The right main gear dug into soft ground, causing the right wing to struck the ground as well as both right engines n°3 and 4. There were considerable structural damages to the right wing and right engines so the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Vickers 764D Viscount in Cuenca: 24 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BEM
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Cuenca
MSN:
183
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The crew filed an IFR flight plan from Guayaquil to Cuenca. After passing over the city of Puna, he decided to cancel the flight plan and continued under VFR mode. While descending to Cuenca, pilots encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 24 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Following several negligences, the crew started the descent prematurely under VFR mode in clouds, causing the aircraft to continue below the minimum prescribed altitude until it struck the mountain (controlled flight into terrain).

Crash of a Vickers 764D Viscount near Cuenca: 33 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BCL
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Cuenca
MSN:
185
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
While descending to Cuenca-Mariscal Lamar Airport in poor weather conditions, the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Cajas Mountain Range, about 40 km north of the intended destination. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 33 occupants were killed. The accident occurred in IMC conditions while the crew was approaching Cuenca Airport under VFR mode.
Probable cause:
The crew was flying VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.