5 fatalities

Seaplane crash in Ecuadorian mountains kills all five aboard (HC-SBL)

Baños de Agua Santa, EcuadorFlight

On December 3, 1946, a Grumman G-21A Goose (registration HC-SBL) operated by Shell Company of Ecuador was involved in an aviation accident near Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with terrain caused by severe weather conditions encountered shortly after departure. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A seaplane crashed into a mountainside near Baños de Agua Santa shortly after departing Shell-Mera Airport due to severe weather, resulting in the deaths of all five people on board.

What happened

The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft departed from Shell-Mera Airport. During the initial climb or early cruise phase, the pilot encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions described as very bad weather. As the seaplane approached the valley associated with Baños de Agua Santa, it struck the slope of a mountain. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All five occupants on board were killed in the accident.

Findings

The primary factor leading to the collision was the pilot's encounter with severe weather conditions immediately following departure. These adverse meteorological circumstances likely impaired visibility or control, culminating in the controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) event where the aircraft impacted the mountainside.

Probable cause

Collision with terrain caused by severe weather conditions encountered shortly after departure.