What happened
A night cargo flight operating a Boeing 727 departed from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport destined for Leticia. The aircraft was transporting a cargo of 13,166 kilograms of fish along with three passengers and three crew members.
During the descent toward Leticia-Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport, the flight crew received updates regarding the meteorological conditions at the destination, noting that visibility had dropped to 4 km due to localized fog. Because runway 21 lacked approach lighting, the crew requested that air traffic control increase the intensity of the runway lights to assist with the landing.
While the aircraft was on short final approach at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, it struck a television antenna. The impact caused the plane to crash into a forested area roughly 3.7 km before reaching runway 21. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft, and all six fatalities were recorded among the occupants.
Findings
- The presence of fog and reduced visibility at the destination airport.
- The lack of approach lighting on runway 21.