2 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident during initial climb near airfield (HK-167)

Medellín-José María Córdova (Rionegro), ColombiaTakeoff (climb)

On February 9, 1954, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration HK-167) operated by Avianca was involved in an aviation accident near Medellín-José María Córdova (Rionegro), Colombia during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft lost control during the initial climb phase, leading to a fatal crash near the airfield. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff during its initial climb phase, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

What happened

On the day of the accident, an aircraft was performing its departure from the airfield. While the plane was engaged in its initial climb phase, it suddenly became uncontrollable. The descent and subsequent impact occurred a few kilometers away from the airport.

There were no survivors of the crash. The incident resulted in two fatalities, involving both the pilot and the co-pilot on board.

Findings

The investigation into the event noted that the aircraft lost stability and went out of control during the early stages of flight. No specific mechanical or environmental factors were detailed in the available report regarding why the plane became unmanageable.

Probable cause

The aircraft lost control during the initial climb phase, leading to a fatal crash near the airfield.