14 fatalities

1996-11-30: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (HK-2602) — ACES Colombia - Aerolineas Centrales de Colombia — Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera, Colombia

Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera, ColombiaTakeoff (climb)

On November 30, 1996, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration HK-2602) operated by ACES Colombia - Aerolineas Centrales de Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera, Colombia during takeoff. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the crew in the flight technique applied during the take-off phase, by not evaluating the performance of the aircraft, considering the high weight in front of the obstacles to climb over on the ascent trajectory. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781206491Data APIEditorial standards

About three minutes after takeoff from Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Padre Amaya. A passenger was found alive; 14 other occupants were killed. The investigation cited crew performance and dispatch errors.

Accident

After takeoff from runway 01 at Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties gaining sufficient height. Approximately three minutes after liftoff, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Padre Amaya, located 8 km from the airport. The wreckage was found 30 metres below the summit. A passenger was found alive while 14 other occupants were killed.

Investigation

An official investigation was conducted into the accident. The probable cause was determined to be a failure of the crew in the flight technique applied during the take-off phase. The crew did not evaluate the performance of the aircraft considering the high weight in front of the obstacles to climb over on the ascent trajectory.

Contributing Factors

Several contributing factors were reported. Errors were present in the dispatch, as the weights were not totaled correctly, possibly due to errors in the handling of cargo and unaccompanied luggage. Additionally, an attitude of complacency on the part of the crew was noted, caused by excellent meteorological conditions that led to an excess of confidence in the planning of the flight.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause is: Failure of the crew in the flight technique applied during the take-off phase, by not evaluating the performance of the aircraft, considering the high weight in front of the obstacles to climb over on the ascent trajectory. The following contributing factors were reported: - Errors presented in the dispatch, since the weights were not totaled correctly, possibly due to errors in the handling of cargo and unaccompanied luggage. - Attitude of complacency on the part of the crew, due to excellent meteorological conditions that caused an excess of confidence in the planning of the flight on the part of the crew.