What happened
On the afternoon of March 17, 1988, Avianca Flight 410 departed from its origin with a scheduled destination. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 727-21 bearing the registration HK-1803. Shortly after liftoff, the plane deviated from its intended flight path and collided with a mountainous terrain in the vicinity of Cúcuta, Colombia. The impact occurred at approximately 13:17 local time.
Investigation
The subsequent inquiry into the accident focused on the circumstances surrounding the deviation during the initial climb phase. Investigators examined flight data and witness accounts to determine why the aircraft struck the high ground shortly after leaving the runway.
Findings
The crash resulted in the total loss of the aircraft and the lives of everyone on board. The 143 fatalities included both passengers and crew members, with no survivors reported from the incident. This event marked a significant tragedy in Colombian aviation history until it was surpassed by another major disaster involving American Airlines Flight 965.