Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Salto Del Tequendama: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-113
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bogotá – Melgar
MSN:
532
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Weather conditions deteriorated enroute and the single engine aircraft crashed near Salto Del Tequendama, killing all three occupants. The airplane left Bogotá-Techo Airport at 1030LT.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL nearTrujillo: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1955 at 1515 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-328
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Condoto – Cali
MSN:
20224
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Condoto at 1436LT with an ETA in Cali at 1535LT and was carrying five passengers, a crew of three and a load of gold and platinum. While cruising at an altitude of 12,500 feet north of Cali, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed on a mountain side located near Trujillo. As the airplane failed to arrive in Cali, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found four days later, on March 13. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all eight occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off La Pedrera: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1000E
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Villavicencio – Mitú – La Pedrera
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bogotá to La Pedrera with intermediate stop at Apiay AFB in Villavicencio and Mitú, carrying four passagers, four crew members, mail and various goods. While trying to land on the Río Caqueta near La Pedrera, the seaplane crashed into the river. All four passengers and a crew member were killed while three other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross in Jardín: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1955
Operator:
Registration:
51-7197
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Albrook - Albrook
MSN:
G-262
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a SAR mission following the disappearance of a Beechcraft Bonanza and was based at Albrook AFB, Panama. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane crashed in Jardín, Antioquia. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F Commando in Barranquilla

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-459
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Barranquilla – Bogotá
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the right engine caught fire. The airplane went out of control and crashed. All four crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Fire on right engine just after liftoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Medellín: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
HK-167
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4272
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
During initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed few km from the airfield, killing both pilots.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 at Apiay AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1954 at 1800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-674
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Orocué – Apiay
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to Apiay AFB, while completing a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field. Both pilots and three passengers were killed while eleven other occupants were injured.
Those killed were:
2nd Lt Jorge Roa Gómez, copilot,
T/Sgt Agustin Valdés Rengifo,
Mrs. Valdés Rengifo,
Ismael Germán y Hugo Falla Bernal,
Jaime Falla Diaz.

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

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-603
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá - Bogotá
MSN:
33273
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at Bogotá-Techo Airport when an engine caught fire in flight. Pilots attempted an emergency landing in a field near the airport. The airplane belly landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. Both crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
An engine caught fire in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Manizales: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1954 at 0615 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-160
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Medellín – Armenia
MSN:
19540
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
At 0600LT, the crew started the descent to Armenia Airport but was instructed by ATC to divert to Manizales due to poor weather at destination. The crew modified his route and diverted to Manizales Airport located about 60 km north of Armenia. About fifteen minutes later, while descending to Manizales by night and poor weather conditions, the aircraft collided with a mountain shrouded by clouds and disintegrated on impact, killing all 23 occupants.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.