Ford 5 accident at Tarapacá, Colombia, 27 Aug 1941 (644)
On August 27, 1941, a Ford 5 (registration 644) operated by Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana was involved in an aviation accident near Tarapacá, Colombia during takeoff. 16 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: For unknown reasons, the airplane suffered a sudden and severe in-flight fire, maybe due to the explosion of an engine. 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.
Probable cause
For unknown reasons, the airplane suffered a sudden and severe in-flight fire, maybe due to the explosion of an engine.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Few minutes after takeoff from Tarapacá Airport, bound for Tres Esquinas, the three engine airplane caught fire and crashed in a dense wooded area located few km from the airport. SAR operations were quickly initiated but the burnt wreckage was found two days and a half later. All 16 occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): For unknown reasons, the airplane suffered a sudden and severe in-flight fire, maybe due to the explosion of an engine.