On June 23, 1959, a Douglas DC-4 (registration HK-135) operated by Avianca was involved in an aviation accident near Cerro Baco, Peru in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was not following the assigned route at the time of the accident, maybe due to a navigation error or a malfunction of one or more instruments. 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.
A four-engine aircraft crashed into Cerro Baco while cruising at 9,200 feet, killing all 14 on board. The aircraft was en route from Quito to Lima when it deviated from its assigned route, possibly due to navigation error or instrument malfunction.
Accident
On a flight from Quito Airport to Lima, Peru, a four-engine aircraft departed at 1548 local time. During cruise at an altitude of 9,200 feet, the airplane impacted the slope of Cerro Baco, approximately 12 kilometers northwest of Huaricanga. The crew had reported their position and estimated arrival time at Lima at 2011 local time at 1845 local time. Wreckage was discovered several hours later, and all 14 occupants were killed.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the aircraft was not following its assigned route at the time of the accident. The deviation may have resulted from a navigation error or a malfunction of one or more flight instruments.
Probable cause
The aircraft was not following the assigned route at the time of the accident, maybe due to a navigation error or a malfunction of one or more instruments.