3 fatalities

Cargo Flight Strikes Nevado de Santa Isabel in 1972 (HC-ANJ)

Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel, ColombiaFlight

On November 3, 1971, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration HC-ANJ) operated by Compaña de Aviacion Aéreo Amazonas was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel, Colombia in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

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

An aircraft on a maintenance flight from Quito to Bogotá struck the slope of Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel in poor weather. Wreckage was found on January 6, 1972; the accident was not survivable.

Accident Overview

On an unspecified date, a crew was flying an aircraft from Quito, Ecuador, to Bogotá, Colombia, as part of a maintenance program. While cruising at an altitude of 5,100 meters in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel, located approximately 150 kilometers west of Bogotá.

Search and Wreckage

Search and rescue (SAR) operations were conducted but were eventually suspended a few days later, as no trace of the aircraft or the crew was found. The wreckage was subsequently spotted on January 6, 1972. The accident was not survivable.

Official Findings

The probable cause of the accident was determined to be controlled flight into terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Nov 1971 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel, Colombia?

An aircraft on a maintenance flight from Quito to Bogotá struck the slope of Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel in poor weather. Wreckage was found on January 6, 1972; the accident was not survivable.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Nov 1971 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Nov 1971 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration HC-ANJ, operated by Compaña de Aviacion Aéreo Amazonas, at Mt Nevado de Santa Isabel, Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain.