No fatalities

Engine Failure Forces Emergency Landing Short of Runway at Valledupar (HK-721)

Valledupar, ColombiaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 7, 1972, a Handley Page HPR-7 Dart Herald (registration HK-721) operated by Lineas Aéreas La Urraca was involved in an aviation accident near Valledupar, Colombia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff for undetermined reason. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A passenger aircraft crash-landed 900 meters short of runway 02 at Valledupar after the left engine failed during initial climb. All 32 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Accident Overview

On a flight from Maicao to Bogotá, with stops at Valledupar and Barrancabermeja, the aircraft departed Valledupar-Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo Airport at 1530 local time. During the initial climb, the crew reported technical problems with the left engine, which subsequently failed. Air traffic control cleared the flight to return to Valledupar for a safe landing.

Emergency Landing

On final approach to runway 02, the captain attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash-landed approximately 900 meters short of the runway threshold. All 32 occupants on board were injured, and the aircraft was destroyed in the impact.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff for undetermined reason.