What happened
On a scheduled flight from Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport to Cúcuta, an Avianca DC-3 (registration HK-1341) departed Runway 04 at 06:20 local time. The route included several intermediate stops at Yopal, Paz de Ariporo, Tame, Arauca, and Saravena. Approximately ten minutes after takeoff, while flying in favorable weather conditions, the aircraft entered a mid-air collision with another Avianca DC-3, registered HK-107, which had departed from the same airport five minutes prior.
Following the impact, both aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into Mt Las Polomas, located near the village of Villapacelly, roughly 71 km northeast of the departure airport. The accident resulted in 38 fatalities, accounting for all passengers and crew members on both flights. The aircraft involved carried 21 people (18 passengers and 3 crew) on the first flight, while the second aircraft also carried personnel that contributed to the total death toll.
Findings
Investigations into the collision identified several contributing factors. The primary cause was attributed to a lack of discipline by the pilot of HK-1341, who attempted a reaching maneuver that violated established requirements in the Aeronautical Regulations Manual. Additionally, it was determined that both flight crews were not in an optimal psycho-physical state for their duties due to insufficient horizontal rest prior to the start of operations, despite meeting company-mandated rest hour requirements. The pilot of HK-107 was found to be operating within regulations and held the right of way, bearing no responsibility for the collision.