20 fatalities

Fatal Explosion During Climb Out of Bogotá-El Dorado (HK-1347)

Bogotá-El Dorado, ColombiaTakeoff (climb)

On January 21, 1972, a Vickers Viscount (registration HK-1347) operated by Lineas Aéreas La Urraca was involved in an aviation accident near Bogotá-El Dorado, Colombia during takeoff. 20 people were killed. 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 four-engine aircraft crashed into a field 20 km from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport shortly after takeoff. An explosion occurred during the climb phase, resulting in the destruction of the airframe and the deaths of all 20 occupants on board.

Incident Overview

An aviation accident occurred involving a four-engine aircraft that departed from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport. The incident took place shortly after the initial takeoff, during the climb phase of the flight. According to official reports, the aircraft experienced an explosion while ascending.

Crash Details

The explosion resulted in the immediate loss of control and a subsequent crash into a field located approximately 20 kilometers from the airfield. The impact and the preceding event led to the total destruction of the aircraft structure. There were no survivors among the people on board; all 20 occupants perished in the accident.

Investigation Findings

The investigation identified that an unknown explosion occurred during the climb-out sequence. No specific mechanical failure or external cause was definitively established beyond the occurrence of the explosion itself, which precipitated the crash into the nearby agricultural area.