On January 28, 1978, a Douglas DC-3 (registration HK-1351) operated by Sociedad Aérea del Caqueta - Sadelca Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia during landing or approach. 12 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck a mountainside during descent while flying in low-visibility weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft crashed into a mountainside during its descent to San Vicente del Caguán Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 12 people on board.
What happened
During an approach to San Vicente del Caguán Airport, the flight crew was navigating through challenging weather characterized by low cloud cover. While the aircraft was descending at an altitude of approximately 6,800 feet, it collided with the slope of Mt Granada. The impact occurred while the mountain was obscured by clouds.
The collision resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were 12 fatalities among the occupants of the plane, with no survivors reported from the crash site.
Findings
The flight was operating in marginal weather conditions involving low visibility due to cloud cover.
The primary factor in the accident was the collision with terrain while flying through obscured mountainous terrain during the descent phase.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck a mountainside during descent while flying in low-visibility weather conditions.
What happened in the 28 Jan 1978 Douglas DC-3 accident near San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia?
An aircraft crashed into a mountainside during its descent to San Vicente del Caguán Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 12 people on board.
Were there any fatalities in the 28 Jan 1978 Douglas DC-3 accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 12 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Jan 1978 involved a Douglas DC-3, registration HK-1351, operated by Sociedad Aérea del Caqueta - Sadelca Colombia, at San Vicente del Caguán, Colombia.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The aircraft struck a mountainside during descent while flying in low-visibility weather conditions.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…