Aircraft impact on Mt Killukichu during cargo flight

6 fatalities • Moyobamba, Peru • Flight

A cargo flight traveling from Chiclayo to Tarapoto crashed into a mountain slope near Moyobamba, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board.

What happened

A cargo operation departed from Chiclayo Airport at 15:24 local time, destined for Tarapoto with a planned stopover at Moyobamba. During the flight, at 16:15 local time, the crew requested updated weather and traffic updates for their upcoming arrival at Moyobamba Airport.

Shortly after this communication, while the aircraft was navigating through cloud cover, it collided with the slope of Mt Killukichu. Search efforts located the wreckage a few hours following the impact. The accident resulted in six fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the crash concluded that the crew was operating the aircraft under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) while flying through Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The primary factor in the collision was that the aircraft was maintained at an insufficient altitude during its flight through the clouds.

Probable cause

The crew attempted to fly under visual flight rules while navigating through clouds at an altitude too low to clear terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-04-20 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Moyobamba, Peru?

A cargo flight traveling from Chiclayo to Tarapoto crashed into a mountain slope near Moyobamba, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-04-20 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1972-04-20 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration OB-R-653, operated by Servicio Aéreo de Transportes Comerciales - SATCO, at Moyobamba, Peru.

What was the probable cause of the accident?