No fatalities

Charter Flight Carrying Bank Director Crash-Lands in Colombia After Engine Trouble (FAC-660)

Piendamó, ColombiaFlight

On October 13, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration FAC-660) operated by Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana was involved in an aviation accident near Piendamó, Colombia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine trouble in flight. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A charter flight operated by the Colombian Presidency crash-landed in a prairie near Piendamó after engine trouble shortly after takeoff. All 12 occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident Overview

A charter flight operated under the Colombian Presidency but owned by the Colombian Air Force made an emergency landing in a rural area after experiencing engine trouble shortly after departure. The aircraft was transporting Felipe Herrera, Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, along with staff members, on a flight from Popayán to Cali.

The Event

Minutes after taking off from Popayán Airport, the crew encountered engine problems. They decided to reduce altitude and attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash-landed in a prairie located approximately two kilometers from the town of Piendamó, about 22 kilometers northeast of Popayán. After coming to rest, all 12 occupants exited the aircraft without injury.

Damage and Aftermath

The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. The precise nature of the engine trouble was not detailed in the initial report, but official findings attributed the incident to engine trouble in flight.

Probable cause

Engine trouble in flight