What happened
At 07:11 local time, a flight departed from Runway 12 at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, bound for Cali. The aircraft was carrying a total of 107 people, consisting of 101 passengers and six crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the crew transmitted a position report over the Techo radio beacon, indicating an altitude of 10,500 feet while proceeding toward Girardot 1.
During the climb to flight level 130, an explosion occurred on board the aircraft. The plane subsequently crashed into hilly terrain situated approximately 16 km south of Bogotá Airport. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and there were 107 fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations determined that the disaster was triggered by a bomb placed inside the cabin before the flight departed. The device contained Semtex, a composition of RDX and PETN, and was planted by members of a Colombian cartel. The intended target of the attack was a high-ranking police officer traveling on the flight.
The detonation caused a rupture in the fuselage between the cabin and the root of the right wing. This breach allowed fuel from the right wing tanks to leak into the cabin area and ignite. Additionally, the blast destroyed the hydraulic systems and all flight controls, making it impossible for the crew to maintain control of the aircraft.