Crash of a Boeing 727-30C in Belo Horizonte

Date & Time: Mar 18, 2002 at 2218 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VLV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Salvador - Belo Horizonte
MSN:
19009
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
VLO9051
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 16 at Belo Horizonte-Tancredo Neves-Confins Airport, the three engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway at high speed, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 727-134 on Mt El Cumbal: 94 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 2002 at 1024 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BLF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Quito - Tulcán - Cali
MSN:
19692
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
EQ120
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
87
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
94
Captain / Total flying hours:
12091
Captain / Total hours on type:
8263.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7058
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3457
Aircraft flight hours:
64001
Aircraft flight cycles:
49819
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport runway 17 at 1001LT on a flight to Cali with an intermediate stop in Tulcán, carrying 87 passengers and 7 crew members. The flight was completed at an altitude of 18,000 feet on airway G-675 towards Ipiales, south Colombia. At a distance of 29 NM from Tulcán, the crew was cleared to descend to 14,000 feet and was briefed about the last weather conditions at destination. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to comply with the company SOP's and started the descent at an excessive speed of 230 knots while the approach procedure called for a speed of 180 knots. Also, the crew was not following the proper approach track for the Tulcán-Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla Airport. In poor visibility due to clouds, at an altitude of 14,700 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Cumbal located about 30 km northwest of Ipiales. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 94 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 1,400 feet below the summit.
Probable cause:
The probable cause was:
- The decision of the instructor captain and his crew to initiate and continue the operation towards Tulcán Airport below minima weather conditions as established in the company's SOPs.
- Inadequate navigation and operation of the aircraft by the pilot-in-command and directed by the instructor captain, consisting of entering the holding pattern of the Tulcán radio beacon with a speed of 230 knots (IAS) and with a banking of 15° exceeding the maximum stipulated speed limit of 180 knots during the entire procedure including the holding pattern and using a banking below the recommended range of 25° to 30°, thus exceeding the lateral navigation and obstacle protection limits of the holding pattern, leading this operation to the collision with Mt El Cumbal.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-44F in Nzagi

Date & Time: May 10, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D2-FCK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda – Nzagi
MSN:
18892
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 08 at Nzagi Airport, the aircraft was too low, causing the right main gear to struck an earth mound located about 100 metres short of runway threshold. Upon touchdown, the right main gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest partially on its belly. All 11 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the copilot was the pilot-in-command at the time of the accident. Wind was from 130 at 12-15 knots.