Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana

Casa-Nurtanio CN-235 (IPTN)

The aircraft departed Palanquero AFB on a flight to Barranquilla with an intermediate stop in Valledupar. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure when radio contact was lost. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located near Agustín Codazzi, some 50 km south of Valledupar. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and there was no fire. All 11 crew members were killed. The airplane was completing a special mission on behalf of the Colombian Intelligence Forces. Crew: Maj Adalberto Ramírez, Lt Sergio Bojacá, 2nd Lt Luisa Salazar, 2nd Lt Andrés Rojas, 1st Tec Juan Carlos Correa, Tec Jorge Iván Angulo, Tec Giovany Roa, Tec Tercero Juan Camilo Rivera, Tec Tercero Hawer Moreno, Tec Elkin Sierra, Tec Édgar Contreras.

Beechcraft 350 Super King Air

The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a reconnaissance and survey mission over the southern Colombia territory, carrying six crew members. At 2306LT, the last radio contact was recorded with the crew. In unknown circumstances, while cruising at an altitude of 10,600 feet, the aircraft impacted terrain near Uribe. The wreckage was found four days later, on September 11. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Basler BT-67

One instructor and four student pilots were engaged in a training mission from Palanquero-German Olano Airport. In unknown circumstances, the converted turboprop DC-3 crashed 8 km from the airport. All five occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

The single engine aircraft was on a routine flight from Medellín to Tolemaida AFB with 3 crew members on board. On approach in poor visibility (mist), the aircraft struck the slope of Mt La Siberia located few km from the airbase and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.

Basler BT-67

The crew departed Apiay AFB on a flight to Pereira, carrying seven crew members who were taking part to a supply mission to ground troops fighting FARC soldiers who attacked communications relays. While cruising at an altitude of 11,200 feet in poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Montezuma located about 5 km northwest of Pueblo Rico. All seven occupants were killed.

Cessna 421 Golden Eagle

The twin engine aircraft departed Bogotá Airport at 1124LT on a flight to Apiay AFB (Villavicencio), carrying four high ranking officers of the Colombian Army Forces and three crew members. About 20 minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed in flight. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed near Guasca, about 35 km northeast of Bogotá-El Dorado Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were injured. Crew: Cpt José Ortiz, pilot, Jairo Guevara, copilot, Henry Chaparro, engineer. Passengers: Gen Norberto Adrada Córdoba, Gen Jorge Enrique Mora Rangel, Maj Horacio Lema Galeano, Lt Col Gustavo Plazas.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

For unknown reasons, the four engine aircraft landed hard at Ocaña-Aguas Claras Airport and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances while on a flight from Villavicencio to Neiva. All eight occupants were killed.

Cessna 402

While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Cuilato located southwest of Saravena. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended on 15 October 1987 as no trace of the aircraft nor the nine occupants was found. The wreckage was localized in an isolated area on 30 March 2000.

Douglas DC-6

Some aircraft operated by the Colombian Air Force were requisitioned to carry out regular schedule flights on behalf of Avianca because their pilots were striking. Few minutes after takeoff from Leticia-Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport, the pilot declared an emergency after the engine n°3 caught fire. While returning, fire spread to the right wing and the airplane went out of control and crashed in a jungle located 32 km north of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 80 occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

En route from Puerto Leguizamo to Neiva, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of Mt El Paramillo located near Solento. All four crew members were killed.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The four engine airplane was completing a flight from Madrid to Bogotá with intermediate stops in Lajes (Azores Islands) and Hamilton, Bermuda. En route from Lajes to Hamilton, the navigation system failed and the crew became lost and disoriented. While cruising in strong head winds (up to 55 knots), the aircraft ran out of fuel and the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft about 330 km east of Cape May, New Jersey. The airplane remained afloat for about 56 hours before it sank and was lost. Eight occupants were rescued and evacuated while five others were killed.

IAI Arava 201

Crashed while taking off from Puerto Rondón Airport for unknown reasons. Sixteen occupants were injured while six other escaped uninjured.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The C-47 departed Riohacha Airport at 1615LT on a flight to Bogotá with intermediate stops in Santa Marta and Barranquilla. About five minutes before ETA, while cruising in low clouds, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Kennedy located about 22 km east of Santa Marta-Simon Bolivár Airport. The wreckage was found in an isolated area three days later and all eight occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt Jaime Sánchez Tocarruncho, pilot, Lt Ramon Villanueva Rodriguez, copilot, Cpt Jose Orlando Moscoso Valencia, navigator, Cpt Edra Rincón TAvera, navigator, Ezequiel Prada Rueda, mechanic, Omar Hernán Linares Rifaldo, mechanic. Passengers: 1st Lt Guillermo Leon Valencia Obando, Sgt Ramiro Waldo Giraldo Ramirez.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing near the Rio Aguarico while completing a flight from Tres Esquinas to Puerto Leguizamo, apparently after being lost. The wreckage was spotted three days later about 20 km from the Colombia - Ecuador border and all four occupants were evacuated.

Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator

The crew was supposed to fly from Tres Esquinas to Puerto Leguízamo but as the flight was illegal, they departed the Colombian Airspace for Ecuador. En route, an unexpected situation forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing by the Rio Pusuno, east of the city of Tena. All three occupants escaped and were arrested while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A load of cocaine was found on board.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Shortly after takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, while in initial climb, the crew contacted ATC and declared an emergency. Control was lost and the airplane crashed near Usme, south of Bogotá. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

After landing on runway 21 at Barrancabermeja-Yariguíes Airport, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went down an embankment and came to rest in flames 150 meters further. A crew members and five passengers were killed while 29 other occupants were wounded. The aircraft was destroyed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

While approaching Bucaramanga-Gómez Niño Airport, the airplane struck the slope of Mt La Judia located about 11 km east of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

While approaching Manizales-La Nubia Airport, the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airfield. Two passengers survived while five other occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 50 meters, the crew encountered technical problems with the propellers. Decision was taken to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a grassy area located along the runway, lost its engines and came to rest. All 15 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Owned by the Colombian Air Force but operated by the Colombian Presidency, the aircraft was completing a charter flight from Popayán to Cali, carrying Felipe Herrera, Director of the Inter-American Development Bank (Banco interamericano de desarollo) and staff. Few minutes after takeoff from Popayán Airport, engine developed trouble and the crew decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a prairie located two km from Piendamó, about 22 km northeast of Popayán, and came to rest. While all 12 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The crew was returning to Bogotá after he delivered cattle to an hacienda located in the region of Santa Bárbara, Nariño. On touchdown, the airplane went out of control and came to rest in flames. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Douglas A-26 Invader

While performing a local training flight at Apiay AFB, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both pilots.

Douglas A-26 Invader

The twin engine airplane left Barranquilla Airport at 2106LT on a flight to Apiay AFB, Villavicencio. While cruising by night at a low altitude, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames near La Victoria. All four crew members were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

On approach to Tauramena, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few km from the destination. Three occupants were injured while six others were killed.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crashed on takeoff from Tunka Airport for unknown reason. Three occupants were killed and one survived.

Douglas A-26 Invader

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Cartagena Airport, killing all three crew members.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The crew departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport in the evening for a night training mission. En route, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Guayatama located near Suárez, about 100 km southwest of its departure point. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft was completing a special flight from Araracuara to Apiay AFB, carrying convicts released on parole accompanied by prison guards. While approaching Apiay in marginal weather conditions at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact, killing all 31 occupants.

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

The twin engine aircraft left Buenaventura Airport at 0940LT for 45 minutes flight to Cali, ETA 1025LT. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four occupants.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crashed while approaching San Juan de Arama while on a flight from Apiay Airbase. All five occupants were killed.

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

On final approach to Puerto Salgar-Capitan Germán Olano Moreno Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Río Magdalena. Both crew members were killed.

Douglas A-26 Invader

The twin engine aircraft departed Palanquero Airport at 0730LT. While approaching Madrid AFB near Bogotá, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all three crew members.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Struck a mountain near Natagaima, Tolima, while on a flight from Bogotá to Tres Esquinas. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted. The wreckage was found eleven days later, on March 24. All 12 occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crashed on approach to Guachiral in unknown circumstances. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all seven occupants have been killed, among them Colonel Gustavo Sierra Ochoa, governor of Antioquia. Crew: Lt Jairo Ruiz. Passengers: Col Gustavo Sierra Ochoa 5.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Weather conditions deteriorated enroute and the single engine aircraft crashed near Salto Del Tequendama, killing all three occupants. The airplane left Bogotá-Techo Airport at 1030LT.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

On final approach to Apiay AFB, while completing a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field. Both pilots and three passengers were killed while eleven other occupants were injured. Those killed were: 2nd Lt Jorge Roa Gómez, copilot, T/Sgt Agustin Valdés Rengifo, Mrs. Valdés Rengifo, Ismael Germán y Hugo Falla Bernal, Jaime Falla Diaz.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

The single engine aircraft departed Yopal at 0909LT bound for Sogamoso with one pilot and five civilians on board. Few minutes later, it crashed in a mountainous area near Yopal. As it failed to arrive in Sogamoso, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually located March 30, 1954.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

While taking off from the Río Putumayo in Puerto Leguízamo, the seaplane hit a sand bank and crashed. A pilot was killed while all other occupants were rescued. The airplane was performing a flight from the Madrid AFB in Bogotá to Leticia with several intermediate stops en route, carrying mail, equipment and army personnels.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed apparently shortly after takeoff, killing all three crew members.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft left Albrook AFB in Panama City at 1315LT bound for Cali. At 1520LT, the crew informed ground that he was flying over Buenaventura. This was the last radio contact as the aircraft disappeared ten minutes later. The wreckage was found two weeks later in a mountain range located near the border of the States of Chocó and Valle del Cauca. All four crew members were killed. Crew: Lt Antonio Echandia Rocha, pilot, Lt Rubén D. Ariza, copilot, Octavio Arango, mechanic, Mr. Duarte, mariner.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Cajamarca while performing a flight from Madrid AFB. All five crew members were killed.

Junkers W.34

En route, the engine failed, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing near Puerto Boy, Putumayo. The aircraft was found few hours later and all four occupants (three crew members and a woman passenger) were injured and rescued.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew was completing a local training sortie in Madrid AFB. On final approach, the twin engine aircraft collided with a private Luscombe that just took off from the same runway. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed near the runway threshold. All four crew members on board the C-47 and the pilot of the Luscombe were killed.

Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator

The twin engine aircraft left Cali at 0827LT on a routine flight to Bogotá-Techo Airport. Some 45 minutes into the flight, the crew encountered icing conditions and the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a mountainous area located near the village of Roncesvalles, about 50 km southwest of Ibagué. All eight occupants were killed.

Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator

The twin engine aircraft left Puerto López, Antioquia, at 1650LT bound for Bogota-Techo Airfield. Crashed in unknown circumstances in Yalombó, killing both crew members.

Ford 5

Enroute, an unexpected technical failure forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing along the Río Magdalena River. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and a crew member was killed. Both others were injured.

Curtiss T-32 Condor II

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Río Magdalena, off Santa Bárbara de Pinto. No casualties.

Curtiss T-32 Condor II

En route, the aircraft caught fire and the captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in flames 26 km southeast of Villavicencio. While all 14 occupants escaped unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.