5 fatalities

2014-05-08: Douglas DC-3 (HK-4700) — Aliansa Colombia - Aerolíneas Andinas — San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia

San Vicente del Caguán, ColombiaFlight

On May 8, 2014, a Douglas DC-3 (registration HK-4700) operated by Aliansa Colombia - Aerolíneas Andinas was involved in an aviation accident near San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. The crew failed to properly evaluate the risks and dangers of poor weather conditions, decided to perform the flight in VFR mode, and while cruising in IMC without checking the minimum prescribed altitude, they suffered a loss… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781193619Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight from Villavicencio to Florencia crashed in a mountainous area near Uribe, killing all five occupants. The official probable cause was controlled flight into terrain due to crew decision to fly VFR in poor weather and loss of situational awareness.

Accident Overview

A cargo flight departed Villavicencio bound for Florencia, carrying three passengers, two pilots, and a load of 2,540 kg of various goods. While cruising under VFR mode at an altitude of 6,500 feet, weather conditions worsened. The crew attempted to modify their route when the aircraft impacted ground and crashed in a wooded and mountainous area located approximately 45 km north of San Vicente del Caguán, near Uribe. The impact forces destroyed the aircraft, and all five occupants were killed.

Official Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Contributing factors included the crew's failure to properly evaluate the risks and dangers of poor weather conditions, their decision to continue the flight in VFR mode, and while cruising in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without checking the minimum prescribed altitude, they suffered a loss of situational awareness. This led to the aircraft striking mountainous terrain.