5 fatalities

Fatal Nighttime Mountain Strike Near Bogotá (HK-1208)

San Francisco de Sales, ColombiaFlight

On December 18, 1972, a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 (registration HK-1208) operated by Taxi Aéreo de Santander del Sur (TASS) was involved in an aviation accident near San Francisco de Sales, Colombia in flight. 5 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 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 twin-engine aircraft departed Barranquilla for Bogotá and struck a mountain slope near San Francisco de Sales at night, resulting in the destruction of the plane and the deaths of all five occupants.

Incident Overview

On the evening of the incident, a twin-engine airplane initiated its departure from Barranquilla-Ernesto Cotissoz Airport. The scheduled destination for this flight was Bogotá-El Dorado International Airport.

Flight Conditions and Impact

The aircraft encountered challenging operational conditions during its approach phase, specifically flying at night with limited visibility. Under these circumstances, the plane collided with the slope of a mountain situated near San Francisco de Sales. This location is approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Bogotá city center.

Casualties and Damage

The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Tragically, all five individuals on board perished in the accident. There were no survivors reported from the event.