Ecuadorian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana

Safety profile and incident history for Ecuadorian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana.

Safety Score

9.4/10

Total Incidents

17

Total Fatalities

107

Recent Incidents

March 15, 2016 22 Fatalities

IAI Arava 201

Fátima Pastaza

The twin engine airplane departed Shell Airport at 1251LT for a local training exercice with a crew of three and 19 paratroopers on board. About an hour into the flight, the crew informed ground he was returning to his base due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area. All 22 occupants were killed. Up to date, this is the worst accident involving an IAI Arava 201.

January 20, 2011 6 Fatalities

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Santa Clara Pastaza

The crew departed Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport at 1530LT on a flight to Tena on behalf of the ECORAE's Institute, a government supply and support program for isolated population in the center of Ecuador. Fifteen minutes after takeoff, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Santa Clara, about 30 km northeast of Shell Airport. A crew survived while five other occupants were killed. The only survivor died few hours later.

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Quevedo Los Ríos

For unknown reasons, the aircraft made a wheels up landing at Quevedo Airport. While all 8 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

June 1, 1993 1 Fatalities

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Pastaza Pastaza

Shortly after takeoff from Pastaza Airport, while climbing to a height of 200 feet, the engine lost power. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a cemetery. One of the pilot was killed while 10 other occupants were injured, some seriously.

December 10, 1992 13 Fatalities

Rockwell Sabreliner 75

Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City) Pichincha

The descent to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport was completed by night and poor weather conditions. On short final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck a 10-floor building under construction and crashed about 3 km short of runway 35. All 10 occupants as well as three people on the ground were killed, among them General Carlomagno Andrade, Chief of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces.

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Capahuari Pastaza

On final approach to Capahuari, the pilot lost visual contact with the ground due to a rain squall. Suddenly, the single engine aircraft struck the runway 36 surface and bounced. Out of control, it veered off runway to the left and came to rest in a ravine. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

March 25, 1991 2 Fatalities

IAI Arava 201

Macas Morona Santiago

En route to Macas, the crew was cleared to climb from 5,500 to 7,500 feet when the twin engine aircraft stuck the slope of a mountain. Two crew were killed while a third occupant was injured.

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Calgary Alberta

The aircraft suffered an incident in Ecuador few days prior to this accident and damages were reported to the undercarriage. A ferry flight to Calgary was arranged so the aircraft could be repaired by technicians by De Havilland Canada. The flight from Quito to Calgary was completed with the undercarriage down. Upon touchdown on runway 28 at Calgary Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its nose and came rest, bursting into flames. In a hurry, both pilots escaped the cabin and did not stop both engines. Hydraulic fluids ignited and the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire. Both pilots were uninjured. Dual registration FAE064 and HC-BFH.

Rockwell Sabreliner 75

Pastaza Pastaza

The crew was completing a local training flight at Pastaza Airport consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. Following several circuits, the crew decided to complete a full stop landing followed by a go-around procedure. After touchdown on runway 30, the aircraft deviated to the left then veered off runway at high speed, struck an embankment and came to rest in bushes. Both crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

June 3, 1988 11 Fatalities

Rockwell Sabreliner 40

Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City) Pichincha

On final approach to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport by night, the aircraft struck the top of a hill and crashed few km from the airfield. All 11 occupants were killed, among them General Angel Augusto Flores, Chief of the Ecuadorian Air Force, General Raul Cousin, Colonel Galo.

January 23, 1988 3 Fatalities

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Taura Guayas

Three pilots departed Taura Airbase for a local training flight. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. All three occupants were killed.

April 29, 1982 10 Fatalities

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Quito Pichincha

While descending to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew decided to abandon the approach and initiate a go-around. While in a holding pattern, the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 15 km from the airport. All 10 occupants were killed.

May 24, 1981 9 Fatalities

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Mt Huayra Pungo Loja

The twin engine airplane departed Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport around noon on a flight to Macará, carrying six passengers and three crew members, among them Jaime Roldós Aguilera, President of the Republic of Ecuador who was making an official visit of the south region of Ecuador. While cruising at an altitude of 7,700 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Huayra Pungo located 40 km north of Macará. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all nine occupants were killed. The airplane had dual registration HC-BHG and FAE001A. Crew: Col Marco Andrade Buitrón, pilot, Lt Galo Romo Altamirano, copilot, María Soledad Zapata, stewardess. Passengers: Mr. Jaime Roldós Aguilera, President of the Republic of Ecuador, Mrs. Martha Bucaram, President's spouse, Mr. Marco Aurelio Subía Martinez, Minister of Defense, Mrs. Gladys Irlanda Sarango; Mr. Martinez's spouse, Mr. Armando Arsenio Navarrete, Col Héctor Alfredo Torres Velázques.

November 19, 1979 16 Fatalities

IAI Arava 201

Loja Loja

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Loja Airport for unknown reasons. All 16 occupants were killed, among them General Rafael Rodrígues Palacios aged 53, Minister of Defense, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter.

July 12, 1978 11 Fatalities

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Pichincha Guayas

En route, the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Pichincha. All 11 occupants attached to the 11th Airborne squadron were killed.

April 6, 1953 2 Fatalities

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Catamayo (ex Camilo Ponce Enríquez) Loja

On approach to Catamayo Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames, killing both pilots, Col Ernesto Delgado Mosquera and Cpt Galo Torres Moreano.

June 17, 1948 1 Fatalities

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Shell Pastaza

The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Shell-Mera Airport. During the takeoff roll with both engines at full power, the aircraft swung to the right. The pilot in command over corrected so the aircraft veered off runway to the left, hit an earth mount and a tree stump before crashing into a building. While all three crew members were unhurt, an employee in the building was killed.

Airline Information

Country of Origin

Ecuador

Risk Level

Low Risk

Common Aircraft in Incidents

IAI Arava 2013
Rockwell Sabreliner 752
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)2
Lockheed C-130 Hercules2
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)2
De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo2
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air2
Rockwell Sabreliner 401
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter1