3 fatalities

Cargo Aircraft Crashes in El Cocuy National Park During Emergency Diversion (HK-1707)

Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, ColombiaFlight

On December 8, 1978, a Douglas DC-6 (registration HK-1707) operated by LAC Colombia - Lineas Aéreas del Caribe was involved in an aviation accident near Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, Colombia in flight. 3 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

A cargo flight from Port of Spain to Bogotá declared an emergency due to engine failure and diverted to Tame Airport, but crashed in El Cocuy National Park. Search efforts found no trace of the aircraft or three crew members.

Incident Overview

A cargo flight en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to Bogotá, Colombia, experienced an engine failure while cruising. The crew declared an emergency, and the captain decided to divert to Tame Airport. However, the aircraft subsequently crashed in the El Cocuy National Park. The three crew members on board were Efrain Medina (pilot), Hernan Rios (copilot), and Nicanor Miranda (flight engineer).

Search and Rescue Efforts

Search and rescue operations were initiated following the crash. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the aircraft or its three crew members was ever found. The search was eventually abandoned.

Crew Information

The crew consisted of three individuals: Captain Efrain Medina, First Officer Hernan Rios, and Flight Engineer Nicanor Miranda. Their roles were clearly defined as pilot, copilot, and flight engineer, respectively.