Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Canón del Paraiso: 26 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1965 at 1225 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1202
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Neiva – San Vicente del Caguán
MSN:
4402
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
The flight was a scheduled domestic flight from La Manguita Airport, City of Neiva to San Vicente del Cagúan. It took off from Neiva at 1207 hours and its estimated time of arrival at its destination was 1245 hours local time. At 1500 hours, when there was no report from the aircraft, the Bogotá Control Centre declared a state of alert and at 1540 hours a state of emergency. On 11 November at approximately 1207 hours, the pilot-in-command of another aircraft informed Neiva through Airway Control that he had spotted the remains of the aircraft at a place named Canón del Paraiso close to the Cerro del Diablo. Three crew members and 23 passengers were killed while 10 other occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error in that the pilot-in-command of the aircraft continued to fly VFR in adverse weather conditions on a route which was not authorized for an IFR flight by the Colombian Airways Manual.
A contributing cause was an error by other personnel in that the dispatcher improperly prepared the passenger and cargo manifests and the load and trim sheet and overloaded the aircraft by approximately 1,456 kg.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Puerto Arturo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-811
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Villavicencio – Mitú
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route, weather conditions deteriorated and the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an uninhabited area located in the region of Puerto Arturo. As the airplane failed to arrive at Mitú Airport, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found on November 13. Four wounded people were evacuated while both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Bucaramanga: 15 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-118
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bogotá – Bucaramanga
MSN:
6182
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
AV508
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Bucaramanga-Gomez Niño Airport from the north, the Dakota collided with a private Piper PA-18A Super Cub registered HK-922P. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed near the Las Terrazas residential area. All 15 occupants on board the DC-3 and the pilot of the PA-18 were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the collision remains unclear.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando in Cúcuta: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1965 at 1105 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-613
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cúcuta – Arauca
MSN:
30465
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The flight was a non-scheduled domestic cargo flight. After boarding 162 crates of beer and one passenger at Cúcuta the crew requested clearance to takeoff for Arauca at 10:42. Clearance was given by the control tower for runway 20 with a south-southeast wind at 18 kt. The aircraft used more than 3/4 of the runway for takeoff and initiated a turn over the city, returning over the aerodrome to gain height. At 10:58 hours it reported departure to the southeast, climbing in visual meteorological conditions to 7500 ft and estimating Santo Domingo at 11:13. When the aircraft was at approximately 4500 to 5000 ft, flames were seen coming from the no. 2 engine. The aircraft attempted to return to Cúcuta. On its way back the starboard wing and engine were seen tearing off from the aircraft. The rest of the aircraft immediately started to roll slowly to the left and moments later struck the ground on Cerro del Espinazo. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to a maintenance error consisting of inadequate service and inspection of part of, or systems of the starboard engine, giving rise to a fire in an undetermined part of the accessories section of that engine. A contributing factor was a maintenance error consisting of failure to comply with Technical Directive No. 62-10-2 (Aerocivil C-46-39).
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Cali: 14 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1965
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Howard - Cali
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
While descending to Cali Airport, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Calima and was destroyed. All 14 occupants were killed. The flight was inbound from Howard AFB in Panama City.

Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo in San Pedro de Jagua: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-537
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
2534
YOM:
1937
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a cargo flight, carrying a load of food. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-Dl near San Vincente de Caguán: 29 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1965 at 1455 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-109
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá – Bucaramanga
MSN:
4753
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
AV676
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
29
Captain / Total flying hours:
6201
Captain / Total hours on type:
268.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4941
Copilot / Total hours on type:
4941
Aircraft flight hours:
32455
Circumstances:
Flight 676 was a scheduled domestic flight from Eldorado Airport, Bogotá to Bucaramanga. It departed Bogotá at 1358 hours, local time. At 1450 hours it reported over Cimitarra at 9 000 ft in VMC, estimating Bucaramanga at 1510 hours. This was the last communication from the flight. When information of arrival was not received at the airport of destination, a state of alert was declared at 1522 hours and an emergency was subsequently declared at 1540 hours. The wreckage of the aircraft was located on 24 March at an altitude of approximately 7 200 ft on the peak known as Pan de Azucar, 35 NM from Bucaramanga on a magnetic bearing of 45'. The accident occurred at approximately 1455 hours. All 29 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command continued to fly VFR in unfavourable meteorological conditions which necessitated operation by instrument flight rules.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Bucaramanga

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1965 at 0710 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-153
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bucaramanga – Bogotá
MSN:
4711
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
AV677
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Bucaramanga-Gomez Niño Airport, the airplane became uncontrollable, veered off runway and struck a ditch before coming to rest in flames. All 34 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo in Tio Barbas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-367
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into a dense jungle located in the region of Tio Barbas, Vaupés. It is believed that both pilots were killed while the third crew member and the passenger were injured and were able to walk away. Anaway, the wreckage was found on the 9 December 1967 and no trace of both survivors was found. The aircraft was involved in a cargo flight and was carrying a load of rubber.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Barranquilla

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-400
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30622
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Barranquilla-Soledad Airport, the airplane went out of control and came to rest in flames. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.