On November 27, 1989, an Avianca Flight 203 was involved in an aviation accident near Colombia. 107 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: In-flight explosion caused by a bomb detonated aboard the aircraft, placed on the orders of the Medellín drug cartel. This summary draws on records from Wikidata contributors; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
On November 27, 1989, Avianca Flight 203, a domestic flight from Bogotá to Cali, was destroyed by a bomb over Soacha, killing all 107 on board and three on the ground. The Medellín drug cartel ordered the bombing.
Background
Avianca Flight 203 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight operated by Avianca between El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali, Colombia. The aircraft assigned to the route was a Boeing 727.
Incident
On November 27, 1989, while in flight over the municipality of Soacha, an explosive device concealed aboard the aircraft detonated. The resulting explosion destroyed the airliner, killing all 107 persons on board—passengers and crew—and three individuals on the ground when debris fell on populated areas.
Aftermath
The bombing was carried out on the orders of the Medellín drug cartel. The destruction of Flight 203 remains one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in Colombian history.
Probable cause
In-flight explosion caused by a bomb detonated aboard the aircraft, placed on the orders of the Medellín drug cartel.