What happened
While traveling toward Juanjuí under challenging weather conditions, a four-engine airplane deviated from its intended flight path. During the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft collided with the side of Mt Pumacona, which reaches an elevation of 3,200 meters. Search efforts located the debris field a few hours after the impact. The accident resulted in 28 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the crash was a result of controlled flight into terrain. This event was primarily driven by a navigational error committed by the crew. Several contributing elements were identified during the inquiry, including:
- The mental state of the pilot-in-command, which negatively impacted decision-making and operational efficiency
- Limited visibility due to poor weather
- Insufficient assistance from Air Traffic Control
- A lack of adequate navigational aids along the flight route