What happened
On the morning of 4 June 1957, an Aerotaxi Servicios Aéreos flight departed from Puerto Berrío at 03:55LT, bound for Medellín. The aircraft, a HK-181, was carrying a total of nine people, including the pilot and eight passengers.
While traversing the midpoint of its journey, the aircraft reached its maximum altitude approximately 8 km from Santo Domingo. At roughly 04:20LT, the plane struck a hill during the flight phase. The impact resulted in two fatalities, as one passenger passed away at the scene and another succumbed to injuries later in Medellín. The remaining passengers sustained minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the accident was the result of pilot error. Under conditions of poor visibility and unfavorable weather, the pilot flew at an insufficient altitude and entered a canyon that had no exit. This maneuver left the crew with no choice but to attempt an emergency landing on terrain that was not suitable for such an operation.