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Left Engine Fire Forces Ditching in Caribbean Sea; All Occupants Rescued (HK-1383)

Cartagena, ColombiaFlight

On October 26, 1973, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration HK-1383) operated by Aerocosta Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near Cartagena, Colombia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Powerplant fire and failure of the feathering system which led to critical flight conditions when the prop began windmilling. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

After departing Barranquilla, a left engine fire and propeller feathering failure forced a ditching off Cartagena. The aircraft sank in four minutes; all three occupants were rescued.

Incident

Following departure from Barranquilla Airport, the aircraft was cruising over the Caribbean Sea at an altitude of 10,000 feet when the left engine caught fire. The crew activated the fire extinguishing system, but a technical issue prevented the propeller from being feathered. To maintain speed and avoid a stall, the captain initiated a descent and a passenger jettisoned cargo.

Emergency Landing

The situation escalated, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft into the Caribbean Sea approximately 34 kilometers off Cartagena. The airplane sank within four minutes and was lost. All three occupants were subsequently rescued.

Probable Cause

Official findings indicate the probable cause was a powerplant fire and failure of the feathering system, which led to critical flight conditions when the propeller began windmilling. Contributing factors included the aircraft being overloaded by 1,167 kilograms and the crew not being aware of the load prior to departure.

Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Oct 1973 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Cartagena, Colombia?

After departing Barranquilla, a left engine fire and propeller feathering failure forced a ditching off Cartagena. The aircraft sank in four minutes; all three occupants were rescued.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Oct 1973 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Oct 1973 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration HK-1383, operated by Aerocosta Colombia, at Cartagena, Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Powerplant fire and failure of the feathering system which led to critical flight conditions when the prop began windmilling. The following factors were reported: - The aircraft was overloaded by 1,167 kilos, - The crew was not aware of the load prior to departure.

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