Aircraft Collision with Trees Near Pastaza (HC-AFQ)

Flight Details and Timeline The aircraft departed Coca Airport at 1020 local time for a scheduled domestic flight to Pastaza, a distance of 100 miles. The planned flight time was approximately 45 minutes. At 1052, the pilot reported over Arajuno, about 12 minutes before the estimated time of arrival at Pastaza, stating that the aircraft was flying at 4,500 ft, mainly under instrument flight rules (IFR). ## Weather and Crash After the pilot's report, weather conditions deteriorated further, and the aircraft entered a poor weather zone with continuous rain. At approximately 1102, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed. ## Casualties Two passengers survived the accident. Nine other occupants were killed, including all three crew members. ## Probable Cause The official investigation attributed the accident to adverse weather conditions and pilot imprudence in changing from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) without the requisite navigation aids for that type of flight. Contributing factors included failure to consult the weather report, errors in the airline office, possible pilot overconfidence in continuing the flight while knowing the radio beacon was inoperative, and presumed negligence by the airport commandant, who did not declare the aerodrome closed when conditions were below meteorological minima.