On September 26, 1953, a Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso) (registration HK-1510) operated by Texaco Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near Guarinocito, Colombia in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A mid-air collision occurred between a Canso and an F-47D Thunderbolt during a military exercise. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A mid-air collision involving a Colombian Air Force fighter and a Canso aircraft resulted in four fatalities during a training exercise.
What happened
During a coordinated military training mission, a Canso aircraft was flying at an altitude of 5,000 feet when it collided with a Colombian Air Force Republic F-47D Thunderbolt, registration 856. The fighter jet had departed from the Germán Olano Moreno Airbase in Puerto Salgar as part of a group of similar aircraft participating in a joint exercise.
Following the impact, the Canso lost control and descended rapidly into a field situated near Guarinocito. The crash resulted in four fatalities among the occupants of the Canso. While the collision was catastrophic for the larger aircraft, the pilot of the F-47D Thunderbolt successfully ejected from the fighter and was rescued by ground teams.
Findings
The incident occurred during a mid-air collision between two aircraft operating in the same airspace for training purposes.
Probable cause
A mid-air collision occurred between a Canso and an F-47D Thunderbolt during a military exercise.