What happened
Following a flight from Miami, the DC-8 arrived at Quito at 06:52. During a period of industrial action by the Ecuadorian Federation of Aircrews (FEDTA), members of the federation were permitted to board the aircraft to discuss strike-related matters. Following discussions with Aeroservicios Ecuatorianos management, the four crew members decided not to participate in the strike. After a delay of approximately two hours, the number four engine was engaged, and the aircraft was towed toward the runway to expedite the scheduled 09:00 departure. During this towing process, the remaining engines were started.
As the aircraft prepared for takeoff, essential pre-flight checks were either omitted or performed incorrectly. This oversight meant that the horizontal stabilizer was set at a 0.5° nose-up position, whereas an 8° nose-up setting was necessary for a successful takeoff. Consequently, the DC-8 failed to gain sufficient altitude after its ground run, overrunning the runway by 48 meters. The aircraft then collided with the wooden structure of an ILS antenna 83 meters beyond the end of runway 35. The momentum carried the plane into a residential area 460 meters from the runway threshold, where it struck houses 35 meters to the right of the extended centerline. The impact destroyed 25 homes and resulted in 53 fatalities, including all four crew members and 49 individuals on the ground. Additionally, at least 50 injuries were reported among those on the ground.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary reason for the accident was the improper position of the horizontal stabilizer relative to the aircraft's center of gravity, which prevented the plane from reaching rotation and liftoff speeds before the runway ended. Several contributing factors were identified, including an incorrect calculation of takeoff clearance, as the crew failed to properly account for maximum takeoff weight, wind, temperature, actual weight, load distribution, and center of gravity. Furthermore, investigators noted that the crew's mental state during the strike negotiations may have distracted them from critical operational procedures.