17 fatalities

1994-04-06: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (FAE450) — Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME — Ambato, Ecuador

Ambato, EcuadorFlight

On April 6, 1994, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration FAE450) operated by Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME was involved in an aviation accident near Ambato, Ecuador in flight. 17 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced controlled flight into terrain. 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 1781209071Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a mountain slope in Ecuador while climbing to its assigned altitude, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

While operating a flight from Taura to Latacunga, the crew of a twin-engine aircraft was executing a climb to flight level 155. During this phase of the flight, at an altitude of approximately 13,400 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Lozan. The mountain peak was obscured by clouds at the time of the accident.

The impact occurred near the summit, with debris located roughly 100 metres below the peak. There were 17 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft, with no survivors reported.

Findings

  • The flight was operating in conditions where the terrain was shrouded in clouds.
  • The accident occurred during the climb phase of the flight.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced controlled flight into terrain.