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Crash of an Embraer ERJ-145LR in Mitú

Date & Time: May 5, 2010 at 1049 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1173
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Villavicencio - Mitú
MSN:
145-879
YOM:
2005
Flight number:
NSE9634
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10254
Captain / Total hours on type:
1060.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1061
Copilot / Total hours on type:
806
Aircraft flight hours:
9095
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 20 (1,760 meters long) at Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran at a speed of 52 knots, went through a fence, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a prairie some 163 metres further. All 41 occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was registered FAC-1173 (military) and HK-4536 (civil).
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew. Execution of the landing procedure on runway 20 despite the fact that aircraft was unstable on approach. At runway threshold, the aircraft altitude was too high and its speed upon touchdown was excessive (132 knots). The airplane touched down 562 metres past the runway threshold, well beyond the touchdown zone. All brakes systems were activated but the upper right thrust reverser deployed and retracted shortly later due to technical reasons, which was considered as a contributory factor. The following factors also contributed to the mishap:
- Poor techniques used by the pilot-in-command on approach and after touchdown,
- Deviation from standard operating procedures (SOP),
- Non-adherence to published procedures,
- No reaction or corrective action to the EGPWS alarm.
Final Report:

Ground fire of an Antonov AN-32B in Mitú

Date & Time: Aug 27, 2007 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4117
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Villavicencio – Mitú
MSN:
29 09
YOM:
1992
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft completed a cargo flight from Villavicencio to Mitú, carrying four crew members and a load consisting of fuel drums. After all fuel drums were offloaded by ground crew, the pilot contacted the fire brigade because fuel leaked on the cabin floor and around the aircraft. Airport firefighters approached to attend the event but were not allowed the use or foam or water due to electrical and electronic equipment that could be affected by the liquid. After starting the APU and the right engine for the flight back to Villavicencio, an explosion occurred. The crew shut down the engines and evacuated the aircraft. Firefighters were unable to extinguish the rapidly developing fire and the aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Lack of adequate and effective procedures for fuel handling by the company and crew. Non-compliance by the crew of the aircraft, of the recommendations made by the Fire Fighting Service Airport and Control Tower.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15F near Mitú: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 2003 at 1710 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4246X
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Yopal – Mitú
MSN:
47062
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
13768
Captain / Total hours on type:
8054.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2300
Copilot / Total hours on type:
601
Aircraft flight hours:
56703
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 25,000 feet on a cargo flight from Yopal to Mitú, the crew was cleared to descend to 7,000 feet for an approach to runway 01 at Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport. Few minutes later, while descending at an altitude of 23,300 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a mountainous and isolated area located about 135 km northwest of Mitú Airport. The wreckage was found 10 days later, on December 28, at coordinates N 002° 19' 15'' W 070° 47' 13''. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good, the crew was fit for flying and the flight conditions were considered as normal. It was determined that the crew noted two consecutives loud 'bang' before control was lost, and it is believed that the aircraft suffered a structural failure of undetermined origin at the altitude of 23,300 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-2 Skyservant in Taraira

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1996 at 1605 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3982
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mitú – La Pedrera
MSN:
4169
YOM:
1973
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4465
Copilot / Total hours on type:
300
Aircraft flight hours:
3217
Circumstances:
En route from Mitú to La Pedrera, weather conditions deteriorated. As the crew was unable to receive a last weather bulletin for the destination airport, he decided to divert to Taraira. Following a waiting period on the ground, the crew decided to takeoff but the soft runway surface was wet. Unable to gain sufficient speed, the crew abandoned the takeoff procedure but the aircraft overran and came to rest. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Decision by the crew to abort takeoff from an inappropriate field due to the wet conditions and soft surface which produced higher coefficients of friction and a lower acceleration factor that prevented reaching takeoff speed after which the crew determined to discontinue the takeoff without sufficient stopping distance, which led to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Mitú

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1994 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3929X
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Villavicencio - Mitú
MSN:
33 01
YOM:
1992
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On short final to Mitú-Fabio A. León Bentley Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft landed 8 metres short of runway. It bounced and landed a second time 300 metres past the runway threshold. Upon touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. Out of control, the aircraft veered off runway to the right, slid through the apron and eventually collided with a parked Satena PC-6, broken in two. All five crew members were injured as well as two technicians working on the PC-6.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A/B in Mitú

Date & Time: May 21, 1994
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-1276W
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
44056
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered technical problems and was cleared to divert to Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The nature of the technical problems remains unknown.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo Porter in Mitú: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1993
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1112
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Taraira - Mitú
MSN:
821
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
3200
Circumstances:
While descending to Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to bad weather. On final, the single engine aircraft was too low, struck trees and crashed short of runway. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Venado-Isana: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1985
Registration:
HK-1795
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Caranacoa
MSN:
31-7652099
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport on a flight to Caranacoa, carrying one passenger and two pilots. Apparently for illegal reasons, the airplane landed in Venado-Isana where six FARC rebels planed. The aircraft crashed after takeoff in unknown circumstances, killing all nine occupants. The wreckage was found mid March 1986.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D- DO Skytrooper in Cararú: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1981
Operator:
Registration:
HK-772
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11743
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On approach to runway 29 at Carurú Airport, the captain decided to make a low pass to inspect the surface condition when the right engine started vibrating. The engine was shut down and its propeller was feathered. The crew initiated a right turn to land on runway 11 when the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed about 500 meters short of runway. All three crew members and one passenger were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on final for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Mitú

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1977
Registration:
HK-166
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12560
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while on approach to Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport. Six occupants were seriously injured while four others were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.