What happened
During a humanitarian flight operated for the US Mission, a USAF C-47 was traveling from Bogotá toward Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport. While the aircraft was descending through 13,000 feet, it encountered heavy cloud cover that significantly reduced visibility. During this descent, the plane collided with the slope of Mt Pichincha.
Search efforts located the wreckage a few hours after the impact. The accident resulted in 18 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the crew attempted to complete their approach using visual flight rules despite being in conditions that required instrument flight rules.