16 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident at Loja Airport (T-201)

Loja, EcuadorTakeoff (climb)

On November 19, 1979, an IAI Arava 201 (registration T-201) operated by Ecuadorian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana was involved in an aviation accident near Loja, Ecuador during takeoff. 16 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the accident remains undetermined. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed shortly after departing from Loja Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 16 people on board.

What happened

On the date of the incident, an aircraft departed from Loja Airport and crashed during the initial phase of flight. The accident occurred shortly after the plane had taken off, with the specific cause for the descent remaining undetermined at the time of the report.

There were 16 fatalities recorded in the crash, representing all individuals on board the aircraft. Among the deceased were several high-ranking officials and their family members, including the Minister of Defense.

Findings

The exact reason for the loss of control following takeoff is currently unknown. No specific mechanical or environmental factors have been confirmed as the primary reason for the crash.

Probable cause

The cause of the accident remains undetermined.