46 fatalities

1952-09-10: Curtiss C-46 Commando — SAM Colombia - Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellín — Panama, Panama

Panama, PanamaFlight

On September 10, 1952, a Curtiss C-46 Commando operated by SAM Colombia - Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellín was involved in an aviation accident near Panama, Panama in flight. 46 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck a mountainside after the crew lost their way during inclement weather. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781254279Data APIEditorial standards

A flight traveling from San Andrés Island to Cartagena crashed into a mountainside in Panama, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During a scheduled flight operating from San Andrés Island toward Cartagena, the crew encountered severe weather conditions. While navigating through these adverse meteorological circumstances, the aircraft drifted from its intended flight path.

As the flight continued, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain situated within the San Blas Province of Panama. The impact occurred during the flight phase while the aircraft was in transit between its departure and arrival points. There were no survivors of the impact; all 46 occupants on board the aircraft perished in the accident.

Findings

  • The crew experienced significant difficulty maintaining their course due to poor weather conditions.
  • The loss of situational awareness regarding the flight route contributed to the collision with terrain.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a mountainside after the crew lost their way during inclement weather.