9 fatalities

1991-09-07: Rockwell Grand Commander 690 (HK-2415) — Occidental de Aviación — San Andrés-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Colombia

San Andrés-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, ColombiaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 7, 1991, a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 (registration HK-2415) operated by Occidental de Aviación was involved in an aviation accident near San Andrés-Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Colombia during landing or approach. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause remains undetermined due to lack of wreckage, though pilot spatial disorientation during a night approach in poor weather is the primary suspicion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781211731Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft disappeared during a night approach to San Andrés-Sesquicentenario Airport under poor weather conditions, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

On the night of the incident, a twin engine aircraft was conducting an approach to San Andrés-Sesquicentenario Airport following a routine flight from the mainland. At 23:24 local time, the crew successfully established communication with air traffic control services.

Shortly after this contact, while the aircraft was in a descent phase amidst unfavorable weather and low visibility, it entered an uncontrolled descent. The plane crashed into the ocean a few kilometers away from the coast. Search and rescue operations were launched immediately to locate the wreckage and the occupants; however, these efforts were terminated one week later after no debris or traces of the nine fatalities could be located.

Findings

Official investigations were unable to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the accident due to a total lack of physical evidence. Investigators noted that the flight was operating at night over open water with minimal ground-based visual references and degraded visibility. It is suspected that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation during the approach, leading to the loss of control.

Probable cause

The exact cause remains undetermined due to lack of wreckage, though pilot spatial disorientation during a night approach in poor weather is the primary suspicion.