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Night Flight Strikes Mountain Slope Near Baños de Agua Santa (HC-AUC)

Baños de Agua Santa, EcuadorFlight

On May 2, 1974, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration HC-AUC) operated by ATESA - Aero Taxis Ecuatorianos was involved in an aviation accident near Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador in flight. 20 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the crew to adhere to the minimum safe altitude fixed at 12,500 feet; failure of the crew to follow the 275° heading from Rio Negro to Baños de Agua Santa; overconfidence on part of the pilot-in-command; possible distraction of the flight crew due… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck a mountain slope with its left wing 17 minutes after takeoff from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, crashing near Baños de Agua Santa. Five occupants were injured and 20 killed, including two crew members. Official findings cited crew failures.

Accident Overview

At night, approximately 17 minutes after departing from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, an aircraft flying at an altitude of 11,500 feet struck the slope of a mountain with its left wing. The wing was partially torn off during the impact. Subsequently, the aircraft went out of control and crashed near Baños de Agua Santa.

Rescue and Aftermath

The wreckage was located the following morning. Rescue teams evacuated five people who were injured. Twenty other occupants were killed, including two crew members.

Official Findings

Investigations determined that the following factors contributed to the accident:

  • Failure of the crew to adhere to the minimum safe altitude, which was fixed at 12,500 feet.
  • Failure of the crew to follow the 275° heading from Rio Negro to Baños de Agua Santa.
  • Overconfidence on the part of the pilot-in-command.
  • Possible distraction of the flight crew due to the presence of a tourist guide in the cockpit.

Probable cause

Failure of the crew to adhere to the minimum safe altitude fixed at 12,500 feet; failure of the crew to follow the 275° heading from Rio Negro to Baños de Agua Santa; overconfidence on part of the pilot-in-command; possible distraction of the flight crew due to the presence of a tourist guide in the cockpit.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 May 1974 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador?

An aircraft struck a mountain slope with its left wing 17 minutes after takeoff from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, crashing near Baños de Agua Santa. Five occupants were injured and 20 killed, including two crew members. Official findings cited crew failures.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 May 1974 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 20 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 May 1974 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration HC-AUC, operated by ATESA - Aero Taxis Ecuatorianos, at Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the crew to adhere to the minimum safe altitude fixed at 12,500 feet; failure of the crew to follow the 275° heading from Rio Negro to Baños de Agua Santa; overconfidence on part of the pilot-in-command; possible distraction of the flight crew due to the presence of a tourist guide in the cockpit.

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