What happened
On August 23, 2005, a Boeing 737-200 Advanced aircraft registered as OA-1618 was conducting a domestic passenger flight from Lima to Iquitos with an intermediate stop in Pucallpa. The aircraft, operated by TANS Perú, encountered severe weather conditions while approaching Pucallpa Airport. In an attempt to land safely amidst the poor visibility and meteorological challenges, the crew initiated an emergency landing procedure. However, the aircraft failed to clear the terrain surrounding the airfield. It crashed into the ground approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from the runway threshold. The impact resulted in significant casualties among those on board.
Investigation
The accident prompted a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Investigators examined the flight data, weather reports, and operational logs to determine the sequence of events leading to the disaster. The focus was placed on the decision-making process during the approach phase and the specific meteorological factors that contributed to the loss of control or terrain clearance.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the adverse weather played a critical role in the accident. The poor visibility and potentially unstable atmospheric conditions hindered the crew's ability to maintain safe altitude and trajectory during the final approach. Of the 98 individuals aboard, 40 perished in the crash, while others survived. The event highlighted the dangers of operating heavy jet aircraft in challenging weather environments near mountainous or difficult terrain.