Aircraft crash near Arequipa-Rodríguez Ballón Airport

123 fatalities • Arequipa-Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, Peru • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft crashed into a hillside during a night approach to Arequipa-Rodríguez Ballón Airport, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During a night approach to Arequipa-Rodríguez Ballón Airport, an aircraft encountered severe weather characterized by heavy rainfall. While performing the final approach, the crew did not maintain sufficient altitude, leading the aircraft to collide with a hill located approximately 6.3 km from the threshold of runway 09. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate. There were 123 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.

Findings

  • The flight was operating under poor visibility and heavy rain.
  • The crew failed to maintain the necessary altitude during the final approach phase.

Probable cause

The crew failed to recognize that the aircraft was at an insufficient altitude during the final approach in heavy rain.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-02-29 Boeing 737-200 accident near Arequipa-Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, Peru?

An aircraft crashed into a hillside during a night approach to Arequipa-Rodríguez Ballón Airport, resulting in no survivors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1996-02-29 Boeing 737-200 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 123 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-02-29 involved a Boeing 737-200, registration OB-1451, operated by Faucett, at Arequipa-Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, Peru.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew failed to recognize that the aircraft was at an insufficient altitude during the final approach in heavy rain.

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