26 fatalities

Aircraft crash near Techo Airport in Bogotá (HK-142)

Bogotá-Techo, ColombiaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 2, 1951, a Douglas C-48 (DC-3) (registration HK-142) operated by Avianca was involved in an aviation accident near Bogotá-Techo, Colombia during landing or approach. 26 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed during its final approach to Techo Airport, resulting in a fatal explosion and no survivors.

What happened

During the final approach phase of flight into Techo Airport located in Bogotá, the aircraft experienced a loss of control. The descent resulted in the plane striking the ground a few hundred yards before reaching the runway threshold. Upon impact, the aircraft was consumed by a large explosion.

There were 26 fatalities recorded among the occupants of the aircraft. No individuals on board survived the accident.

Findings

While the specific mechanical or operational reasons for the loss of control have not been detailed in the provided report, the impact occurred significantly short of the intended landing surface.