What happened
A domestic flight departing from Coca Airport for Pastaza encountered severe weather conditions during its journey. The flight, which was expected to last roughly 45 minutes, departed at 10:20 local time. At approximately 10:52, the pilot communicated that the aircraft was positioned over Arajuno at an altitude of 4,500 feet, operating under instrument flight rules (IFR).
As the flight progressed toward its destination, weather conditions worsened, leading the aircraft into a zone characterized by heavy, continuous rainfall. At roughly 11:02, the aircraft type struck trees before crashing. The accident resulted in 9 fatalities, including all three crew members, while two passengers managed to survive the impact.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary cause of the crash was adverse weather conditions combined with pilot imprudence, specifically the decision to transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to IFR without possessing the necessary navigation equipment.
Several contributing factors were identified during the inquiry:
- The pilot failed to check updated meteorological reports.
- Administrative errors occurred within the airline's office.
- The pilot may have operated with excessive confidence, proceeding despite knowing the radio beacon was non-functional.
- There was suspected negligence by the airport commandant, who did not officially close the aerodrome even though weather conditions had fallen below established minimums.