What happened
A non-scheduled domestic cargo operation departed Cúcuta at 10:42 for a flight to Arauca. The aircraft was carrying one passenger and 162 crates of beer at the time of departure. After receiving clearance for runway 20, the crew utilized more than three-quarters of the available runway before beginning a turn over the city. To increase altitude, the aircraft performed a return pass over the aerodrome.
By 10:58, the flight reported departing toward the southeast, climbing through visual meteorological conditions to an altitude of 7500 feet with an estimated arrival time at Santo Domingo of 11:13. While cruising between 4500 and 5000 feet, flames were observed emanating from the number 2 engine. In response to the fire, the crew attempted an emergency return to Cúcuta. During this maneuver, the starboard engine and wing separated from the airframe. The remaining portion of the aircraft entered a slow roll to the left and impacted the ground at Cerro del Espinazo. The accident resulted in four fatalities.
Findings
Investigations determined that the primary cause was a maintenance oversight involving insufficient servicing and inspection of components or systems within the starboard engine. This error led to an unidentified fire within the engine's accessories section. Additionally, investigators noted a failure to adhere to Technical Directive No. 62-10-2 (Aerocivil C-46-39) as a contributing factor.