No fatalities

Overloaded Aircraft Crashes After Takeoff (HK-683)

Bogotá-El Dorado, ColombiaTakeoff (climb)

On February 13, 1969, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration HK-683) operated by Aeropesca Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near Bogotá-El Dorado, Colombia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control was the consequence of an overloaded aircraft, with the total weight well above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An overloaded aircraft crashed 1.6 km past the runway end after takeoff, injuring all three crew members and causing total loss of the airplane.

Incident Overview and Outcome Following departure from runway 30, the aircraft began its initial climb toward an altitude of 300 feet. During this phase, the airplane lost altitude and descended until it impacted the ground 1.6 kilometers beyond the runway end. The crash resulted in injuries to all three crew members on board. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair, resulting in a total loss. The official investigation identified the specific operational condition that led to the loss of control during the climb-out phase, highlighting a critical deviation from standard weight and balance limits.

Probable cause

The loss of control was the consequence of an overloaded aircraft, with the total weight well above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).