Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 19 March 1960
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46A-60-CS Commando
Owner/operator: Sociedad Aeronautica Medellin – SAM
Registration Number: HK-516
Location: 11 km NW of Planeta Rica – ÿ Colombia
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 25 / Occupants: 46
Component Affected: Left engineLeft engine
Category: Accident
A SAM Flight 901 experienced an engine failure after 19:42 GMT, resulting in a crash 11 km Northwest of Medellin. The pilot made an incorrect decision to land at a closed airport with limited radio communication, leading to the accident.A SAM Flight 901 experienced an engine failure after 19:42 GMT, resulting in a crash 11 km Northwest of Medellin. The pilot made an incorrect decision to land at a closed airport with limited radio communication, leading to the accident.

Description

SAM Flight 901 departed San Andres Island for a flight to Medellin. no. 1 engine problems (overspeeding) developed after 19:42 GMT. The crew radioed Medellin that they were returning to Planeta Rica, but the plane crashed 11 km NW of Planeta Rica. 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: 1) Malfunction in the carburetor of the left engine resulting in intermittent overspeeding and slight coughing; 2) 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; 3) 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.”

Primary Cause

Pilot error in judgment regarding landing location and communication, resulting in a closed airport and lack of radio assistance.Pilot error in judgment regarding landing location and communication, resulting in a closed airport and lack of radio assistance.

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