Crash of a Boeing 737-282 in Andoas: 75 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1998 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAP-351
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Iquitos - Andoas
MSN:
23041
YOM:
1983
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
75
Captain / Total flying hours:
16901
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12066
Aircraft flight hours:
37129
Aircraft flight cycles:
23935
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Iquitos to Andoas on behalf of the Occidental Petroleum Company, carrying eight crew members and 80 employees of this company and their subcontractors. While descending to Andoas-Alferez FAP Alfredo Vladimir Sara Bauer Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with rains falls and limited visibility. On final, the aircraft descended below the glide, collided with trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located 5 km short of runway 12. First rescuers arrived on site three hours later. Thirteen occupants included two crew members were seriously injured while 75 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For undetermined reasons, the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude during an approach in IMC conditions until the aircraft impacted the ground.

Crash of an Embraer C-95B Bandeirante in Resende: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1998 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2321
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Resende - Resende
MSN:
110-433
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Resende Airport with eight paratroopers and three crew members on board. In altitude, the skydivers bailed out and the crew initiated a descent to return to Resende. On short final, the crew aborted the approach and completed a low pass over the runway. Then the aircraft collided with power cables and crashed near a farm located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. It was reported that the right engine was at idle and its propeller was feathered at the time of impact while the left engine was at full power for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Boeing 727-230 in Bogotá: 53 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1998 at 1645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BSU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá - Quito
MSN:
21622
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
AF422
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
43
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
53
Captain / Total flying hours:
5062
Captain / Total hours on type:
2296.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7872
Copilot / Total hours on type:
528
Aircraft flight hours:
34586
Aircraft flight cycles:
26475
Circumstances:
The flight from Bogotá to Quito was completed by TAME on a wet-lease contract for Air France, second leg from the AF422 flight from Paris to Quito via Bogotá operated by an Airbus A340. After takeoff from runway 13 at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the crew was cleared for a Girardot 1 departure that consist of continuing on runway heading for 2 miles after takeoff, followed by a 90° right turn over the Romeo beacon. For unknown reasons, the crew continued straight forward until the aircraft impacted the Mt El Cable located ahead of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 53 occupants were killed, among them 25 European Nationals, seven Italians, six French, three Danish, three Spanish, two Germans, two Austrians, one British and one Swiss. The wreckage was found 50 metres below the summit. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with rain, clouds at 2,300 feet and CB's.
Probable cause:
The crew suffered a loss of situational awareness after takeoff while climbing in IMC conditions. The crew failed to comply with the Girardot 1 departure procedure, deviated from the published departure procedures and maintain runway heading until the aircraft collided with terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-32 in Piura: 28 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1998 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1389
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tumbes - Piura
MSN:
1203
YOM:
1987
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in an humanitarian flight from Tumbes to Piura, evacuating flood victims. The aircraft departed Tumbes-Pedro Canga Rodríguez on a flight to Piura with 50 passengers and five crew members on board. On final approach to Piura-Capitán Guillermo Concha Iberico Airport, the right engine failed. The aircraft lost height and crashed on the shore of an irrigation canal located less than 400 metres short of runway 01. The aircraft broke in two and was destroyed, killing 28 occupants.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine for unknown reasons. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was heavily loaded.

Crash of a Cessna T207A Stationair 8 II on Mt Duida: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1998 at 1206 LT
Registration:
YV-2557P
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Toqui - Puerto Ayacucho
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Toqui Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to thick smoke coming from forest fire. While climbing, the single engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Duida and crashed six minutes after takeoff. The wreckage was found few days later and all five occupants were killed, among them two US citizens and two Canadians.

Crash of a Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III in Treinta y Tres

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1998 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CX-ROU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Treinta y Tres - Montevideo
MSN:
42-8001074
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 90 knots, the captain decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest 270 metres further against an earth mound. All six occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The grassy runway used by the crew is 1,008 metres long and the last portion of 300 metres was waterlogged.

Crash of a Cessna 401 off Chaitén: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1998 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CIX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chaitén - Puerto Montt
MSN:
401-0029
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Chaitén Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in the sea near the La Puntilla harbor. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. It was reported that the aircraft was on fire prior to impact with water, maybe after an engine caught fire.

Crash of an Avro C-91 in Navegantes

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2509
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - Navegantes
MSN:
1732
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Navegantes-Itajaí Airport, the crew encountered unknown difficulties. The aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area. All 25 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Bolivia

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CP-1280
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
22569
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing somewhere in east Bolivia. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in trees, broken in two. There were no casualties. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in 1997.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Trinidad

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-2321
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Trinidad - La Paz
MSN:
AC-643
YOM:
1986
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All 20 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.