What happened
On August 23, 2005, a Boeing 737-244 ADV, registration OB-1809-P, operated by Transportes Aéreos Nacionales de Selva (TANS Peru), crashed near the David Abenzur Rengifo Airport in Pucallpa, Peru. The flight, ELV204, had departed from Lima and was cruising at 33,000 feet.
As the aircraft prepared for arrival, the crew initiated a descent to attempt a visual approach, following a NOTAM that indicated certain lighting aids at the airport were unavailable. At approximately 20:08 UTC, the crew disconnected the autopilot. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft descended below the authorized minimum altitude, impacting trees before striking the terrain. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and 40 fatalities among the crew and passengers.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's maintenance records, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's weight and balance, confirming it was within operational limits. The investigation also analyzed the availability of navigational aids at Pucallpa, noting that runway edge lights, PAPI, and approach lights were non-operational due to ongoing runway work, requiring VFR operations.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and heavy rain.
- The crew attempted a visual approach despite the lack of essential landing aids.
- The primary causal factor was the descent below the minimum authorized altitude during the approach.
- Contributing factors included the presence of a "hail shaft" (intense localized hail) and the lack of advanced ground proximity warning capabilities (specifically windshear warning) being fully verified at the time of the event.
- The lack of operational lighting at the aerodrome increased the difficulty of the visual approach.