No fatalities

Aircraft crash into Caquetá River with no fatalities (42-106980)

Caquetá River, ColombiaFlight

On February 19, 1943, a Grumman G-21A Goose (registration 42-106980) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Caquetá River, Colombia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Unknown mechanical failure in flight. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-25Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced technical issues during flight and crashed into the Caquetá River. The pilot survived the incident, and there were no reported deaths.

What happened

The aircraft encountered significant technical difficulties while in flight. These mechanical issues ultimately led to a loss of control or forced landing scenario, resulting in the plane crashing directly into the Caquetá River. The impact occurred during the active flight phase, not during takeoff or landing on a runway. Despite the severity of the crash into the water, the sole occupant, identified as the pilot, survived the accident. There were no other persons on board, and consequently, there were zero fatalities associated with this event.

Findings

The official investigation concluded that the accident was caused by an unknown mechanical failure while the aircraft was airborne. No specific component or system was identified in the available findings as the definitive source of the malfunction. The lack of precise technical data regarding the failure mode remains a key aspect of the case record.

Probable cause

Unknown mechanical failure in flight

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Feb 1943 Grumman G-21A Goose accident near Caquetá River, Colombia?

An aircraft experienced technical issues during flight and crashed into the Caquetá River. The pilot survived the incident, and there were no reported deaths.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Feb 1943 Grumman G-21A Goose accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Feb 1943 involved a Grumman G-21A Goose, registration 42-106980, operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947), at Caquetá River, Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Unknown mechanical failure in flight