1 fatality

2021-01-08: Cessna 303 Crusader (HK-3856-G) — Private Colombian — Bojacá, Colombia

Bojacá, ColombiaFlight

On January 8, 2021, a Cessna 303 Crusader (registration HK-3856-G) operated by Private Colombian was involved in an aviation accident near Bojacá, Colombia in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the decision of the pilot to continue the flight under VFR mode in IMC conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781190209Data APIEditorial standards

On a flight from Flandes to Bogotá, a twin-engine airplane impacted trees and crashed in wooded terrain near Bojacá while cruising at 9,260 feet in poor visibility. The sole pilot was killed, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Accident Overview

On a flight from Flandes-Santiago Vila Airport to Guaymaral in Bogotá, a twin-engine airplane crashed in wooded and hilly terrain near Bojacá. The sole pilot was killed, and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.

Flight History

The pilot departed from runway 02 at Flandes-Santiago Vila Airport at 1257 local time. En route, weather conditions worsened, and visibility became poor. While cruising at an altitude of 9,260 feet, the airplane impacted trees and crashed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a controlled flight into terrain following the pilot's decision to continue the flight under VFR mode in IMC conditions. Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to continue to the destination rather than return to Flandes (Girardot) or divert to an alternate airport, and low situational awareness that led the pilot to fail to account for the geographical environment and maintain safe separation from terrain.