Aircraft crash near Apiay Air Base

31 fatalities • Apiay AFB (Villavicencio), Colombia • Flight

A transport flight carrying parolees and prison guards crashed into a mountainside during its approach to Apiay AFB.

What happened

A special flight operating from Araracuara toward Apiay Air Base ended in a fatal accident when the aircraft collided with a mountain slope. The mission involved transporting individuals released on parole, who were being escorted by prison guards. As the plane was descending through 11,500 feet during its approach to the airfield, it encountered difficult weather conditions. Upon striking the terrain, the aircraft broke apart, resulting in 31 fatalities.

Findings

Investigations into the crash highlighted several contributing elements related to the flight's path and environment. The aircraft had drifted approximately 10° from its intended course at the time of the collision, an error likely caused by strong winds. Additionally, the investigation noted that the absence of effective navigation technology along the flight path made maintaining the correct trajectory difficult, especially when combined with the marginal visibility and poor weather present during the approach.

Probable cause

Strong winds caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended course, compounded by inadequate navigational aids and poor weather.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1962-04-06 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Apiay AFB (Villavicencio), Colombia?

A transport flight carrying parolees and prison guards crashed into a mountainside during its approach to Apiay AFB.

Were there any fatalities in the 1962-04-06 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 31 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1962-04-06 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration FAC-563, operated by Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana, at Apiay AFB (Villavicencio), Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Strong winds caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended course, compounded by inadequate navigational aids and poor weather.

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