What happened
During a nighttime flight approximately 17 minutes after departing from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, an aircraft collided with the side of a mountain. While cruising at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the left wing of the plane struck a slope, causing it to become partially detached. This impact rendered the aircraft uncontrollable, leading to a crash in the vicinity of Baños de Agua Santa.
The wreckage was located the next morning by search teams. The accident resulted in 20 fatalities, which included two members of the flight crew. Additionally, five injured people were rescued from the site and evacuated for medical treatment.
Findings
Official investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to flight operations and crew performance. It was determined that the crew did not maintain the required minimum safe altitude, which was established at 12,500 feet. Furthermore, the flight path deviated from the prescribed 275° heading intended to navigate from Rio Negro toward Baños de Agua Santa.
Investigators also noted the pilot-in-command's failure to adhere to safety protocols due to overconfidence. Additionally, the presence of a tourist guide within the cockpit may have served as a distraction for the flight crew during the operation.