Aliansa DC3 near San Vicente on May 8th 2014, impacted terrain

Last Update: April 21, 2016 / 16:32:57 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 8, 2014

Classification
Crash

Airline
Aliansa

Aircraft Registration
HK-4700

Aircraft Type
DOUGLAS DC-3

ICAO Type Designator
DC3

An Aliansa Douglas DC-3, registration HK-4700 performing a flight from Villavicencio to Florencia (Colombia) with 5 people on board, was enroute at 6800 feet MSL near La Macarena, Meta Province (Colombia) at about 12:45L (17:45Z) when the aircraft disappeared. A search was initiated. About 4 hours later the aircraft was found crashed in a forest near San Vicente del Caguan, Caqueta Province, position N2.6928 W74.6164 at 6726 feet MSL, there were no survivors. The aircraft was destroyed.

Colombia's Civil Aviation Authority reported the aircraft carried 5 people including crew when radio contact was lost and the aircraft disappeared near La Macarena. A search was initiated which succeeded in located the wreckage about 4 hours later.

Colombia's Fuerza Aerea reported on May 9th that two helicopters have reached the crash site and recovered the five bodies of the occupants. Headquarters were established at San Vicente del Caguan, Maqua Province, about 45km from the crash site.

No weather data are available of the region.

Colombia's GRIAA released their final report in Spanish concluding the probable causes of the crash were:

the failure to assess hazards and risks during flight planning as well as decision making during the VFR flight without verification of minimum safe altitudes.

Inopportune interruption of visual meteorological conditions requiring the unusual continuation of flight in instrument meteorological conditions (unintentional flight in IMC).

Loss of situational awareness and continuation of flight in adverse weather conditions resulting in impact with mountaineous terrain (controlled flight into terrain).

GRIAA reported that the crew had filed their flight plan to climb to 6500 feet enroute, the route was lateral La Uribe, lateral San Vicente del Caguan, lateral Puerto Rico and Florence.

The captain (58, ATPL, 10,233 hours total, 9,950 hours on type) was pilot flying, the first officer (57, CPL, 4,417 hours total, 3,812 hours on type) was pilot monitoring.

The GRIAA analysed that satellite weather images confirmed the presence of clouds enroute although departure and destination aerodrome were in suitable visual meteorological conditions. Although the aircraft was equipped with GPS, weather radar and enhanced navigational equipment, which would have permitted to conduct the flight at higher altitudes, the crew decided to remain at 6500 feet and while while conducting the flight under visual flight rules deviate to the left and right around weather.

While heading towards the Serrania Picachos the aircraft entered IMC, the crew continued the flight even though they could have turned back to the point of departure or diverted to an alternate aerodrome. This culimnated in a controlled flight into terrain. The training records of both flight crew did not reveal any evidence they had undergone CFIT prevention training.

The GRIAA analysed that between the VORs of VVC (Vilavicencio) and SVC (San Vicente) no low level airway existed ensuring safe IFR operation.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 8, 2014

Classification
Crash

Airline
Aliansa

Aircraft Registration
HK-4700

Aircraft Type
DOUGLAS DC-3

ICAO Type Designator
DC3

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source

You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.

Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!

Are you a subscriber? Login
Subscribe

Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

Related articles

Newest articles

Subscribe today

Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.

Pick your plan and subscribe

Partner

Blockaviation logo

A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.

ELITE Logo

ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.

Blue Altitude Logo

Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.

AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American Airlines
United
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways