Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 17 November 1956
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-49G-DO (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Aerolineas del Pacifico – ARPA
Registration Number: HK-385
Location: Cerro El Rucio –
ÿ Colombia
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 36 / Occupants: 36
Component Affected: Aircraft Flight ControlsAircraft Flight Controls
Category: Accident
A DC-3 aircraft experienced a catastrophic crash during a return trip from Cali to Buenaventura. The captain requested the co-pilot’s medical certificate, which remained with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for revalidation. The captain determined the co-pilot was ineligible to fly, leading to the aircraft crashing into a mountain at approximately 6200 feet, with stratocumulus clouds obscuring the top. The probable cause was identified as a flight on instruments at an excessively low altitude for the route.A DC-3 aircraft experienced a catastrophic crash during a return trip from Cali to Buenaventura. The captain requested the co-pilot’s medical certificate, which remained with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for revalidation. The captain determined the co-pilot was ineligible to fly, leading to the aircraft crashing into a mountain at approximately 6200 feet, with stratocumulus clouds obscuring the top. The probable cause was identified as a flight on instruments at an excessively low altitude for the route.
Description
The DC-3 was operating on a Cali-Buenaventura and return trip. Before heading back to Cali the captain asked the co-pilot for his medical certificate. The co-pilot’s certificate was still at the CAA for revalidation. Because of this, the captain decided that the co-pilot should not fly on the leg to Cali. The flight engineer acted as a co-pilot on this flight. Takeoff was at 16:30. Around 16:45 the aircraft crashed into a mountain at 6200 feet, the top of which being covered by stratocumulus clouds. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Flight on instruments at an excessively low altitude for the route.”
Primary Cause
Flight on instruments at an excessively low altitude for the route.Flight on instruments at an excessively low altitude for the route.Share on:
