Cargo aircraft crash near Barranquilla-Soledad Airport

No fatalities • Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz (ex Soledad), Colombia • Landing (descent or approach)

A cargo flight transporting flowers crashed short of the runway during approach to Barranquilla due to low visibility and an undershot descent.

What happened

A cargo operation traveling from Bogotá to Miami, which included a scheduled stop in Barranquilla, resulted in an aircraft accident during its arrival at Barranquilla-Soledad Airport. The flight was transporting 19 tons of flowers and was operated by a crew consisting of four members.

As the aircraft approached the airport, the flight crew encountered conditions of limited visibility. In response to these environmental factors, the captain requested that air traffic control increase the brightness of the runway lighting to assist with navigation. During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft descended below the appropriate glide path. The plane subsequently collided with obstacles and caught fire before coming to a rest short of runway 04.

All four crew members sustained slight injuries during the impact. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the resulting fire.

Findings

The investigation noted that the aircraft was operating at an altitude below the required glide slope at the time of the collision. This descending below the glide path led to the impact with obstacles near the airfield.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck obstacles after descending below the established glide path during a low-visibility approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1976-04-22 Boeing 720 accident near Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz (ex Soledad), Colombia?

A cargo flight transporting flowers crashed short of the runway during approach to Barranquilla due to low visibility and an undershot descent.

Were there any fatalities in the 1976-04-22 Boeing 720 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1976-04-22 involved a Boeing 720, registration N37777, operated by US Global of Florida, at Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz (ex Soledad), Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck obstacles after descending below the established glide path during a low-visibility approach.

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