Flight 676 crash near Bucaramanga

29 fatalities • San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia • Flight

A domestic flight traveling from Bogotá to Bucaramanga disappeared over Colombia, resulting in the loss of all 29 people on board.

What happened

On a scheduled domestic service from Eldorado Airport in Bogotá to Bucaramlyga, Flight 676 departed at 13:58 local time. The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules and was last heard communicating at 14:50 hours while positioned over Cimitarra at an altitude of 9,000 feet. At that time, the crew provided an estimated arrival time for Bucaramanga of 15:10.

Following the failure of the aircraft to arrive at its destination, authorities initiated an alert at 15:22 and officially declared an emergency at 15:40. Search efforts eventually led to the discovery of the wreckage on 24 March. The debris was found at an elevation of roughly 7,200 feet on a mountain peak identified as Pan de Azucar, located approximately 35 nautical miles from Bucaramanga.

The accident is believed to have occurred at approximately 14:55 hours. There were 29 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.

Findings

Investigations into the crash determined that the pilot-in-command maintained VFR flight despite encountering weather conditions that required IFR procedures.

Probable cause

The pilot continued to operate under visual flight rules despite meteorological conditions that necessitated instrument flight rules.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1965-03-22 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia?

A domestic flight traveling from Bogotá to Bucaramanga disappeared over Colombia, resulting in the loss of all 29 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1965-03-22 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 29 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1965-03-22 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration HK-109, operated by Avianca, at San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot continued to operate under visual flight rules despite meteorological conditions that necessitated instrument flight rules.

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