Region
South America

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Bogotá: 37 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1960 at 1908 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-390
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami – Barranquilla – Medellín – Bogotá
MSN:
32954
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
LL503
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
37
Aircraft flight hours:
8289
Circumstances:
While on final approach to El Dorado Airport in Bogotá, the airplane stalled and crashed few km short of runway 12. Fourteen people were evacuated while 37 others, among them six crew members, were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to take proper action to counteract the loss of speed and height in the final approach turn. The following factors contributed to the accident:
- Lack of operational control by the airlines concerned,
- The pilot in command lacked experience as a transport pilot,
- It is probable that the report from the control tower at Eldorado that the runway was restricted because another aircraft had crashed in the safety zone had a psychological effect on the pilot.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CS Commando near Planeta Rica: 25 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1960 at 1610 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-516
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Andrés – Medellín
MSN:
00384
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
MM901
Location:
Planeta Rica
Córdoba
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Aircraft flight hours:
15876
Circumstances:
En route from San Andrés Island to Medellín, while cruising in bad weather conditions, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems on the left engine and elected to divert to Planeta Rica. On approach, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Los Mellos located about 11 km from the airfield. Three crew members and 22 passengers were killed while 21 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to an error of judgement in that the pilot decided to land at an airport which was closed and where no radio aid was available at the time when he was in visual flight at an adequate altitude and close to several airports offering good characteristics and suitable weather conditions. In addition, the pilot underestimated the malfunction that at the time had developed in the left engine. The following contributing factors intervened:
- Malfunction in the carburetor of the left engine resulting in intermittent overspeeding and slight coughing,
- Adverse weather conditions (namely thick mist, rain, hail and electric storm) which prevailed in the area and in the vicinity of Planeta Rica Airport at the time of the accident,
- The lack of communications which prevented the pilot from being briefed on the weather conditions at Planeta Rica Airport and from being informed of the absence of tower or radio facility services owing to the time-table in force at the airport.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in El Refugio: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1001E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Araracuara – Villavicencio
Location:
El Refugio
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed in the jungle while en route from Araracuara to Villavicencio. Two crew members and four passengers were killed and seven other occupants were rescued.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman near Barrancabermeja: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1959 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
ASPA - Aspersiones Antes
Registration:
HK-454
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Aguas Claras – Barrancabermeja
MSN:
323
YOM:
1944
Location:
Barrancabermeja
Santander
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching Barrancabermeja on a flight from Aguas Claras, the engine caught fire. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing when the airplane hit a tree and crashed in flames. All seven passengers were injured while the pilot and owner of the company, Walter Trujillo Villegas , was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Ocaña

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1958
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
HK-183
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
755
YOM:
1955
Location:
Ocaña
Norte de Santander
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Ocaña-Aguas Claras Airport, the single engine aircraft was too low, struck a hill and crashed. All three occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Puerto Salgar: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-552
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Palanquero – Puerto Salgar
MSN:
680-453-123
YOM:
1958
Location:
Puerto Salgar-Capitan Germán Olano Moreno
Cundinamarca
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Puerto Salgar-Capitan Germán Olano Moreno Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Río Magdalena. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Medellín

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1958 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-514
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Medellín – Bogotá
MSN:
30363
YOM:
1944
Location:
Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera
Antioquia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport runway 02, while in initial climb, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland where the airplane crash landed. Both crew members were uninjured while the C-46 was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Puerto Colombia

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-391
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Barranquilla – Miami
MSN:
30196
YOM:
1944
Location:
Puerto Colombia
Atlántico
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Barranquilla to Miami, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine and elected to divert to the nearest airport. Eventually, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing on a beach located near Puerto Colombia. The airplane belly landed on the shore and came to rest. All occupants escaped uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine trouble in flight.

Crash of a Douglas B-26C Invader near Madrid AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1958 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-2512
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Palanquero – Madrid – Apiay
MSN:
27437
YOM:
1944
Location:
Madrid AFB
Cundinamarca
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Palanquero Airport at 0730LT. While approaching Madrid AFB near Bogotá, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Budd RB-1 Conestoga in Colombia

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Budd RB-1 Conestoga
Operator:
Aero Llanos
Registration:
HK-344X
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
MSN:
007
YOM:
1944
Location:
Colombia
All Colombia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed following an engine explosion in flight. Crew fate and exact date unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine explosion in flight.
Subscribe to Colombia