Intercontinental Colombia - Intercontinental de Aviación

Douglas DC-9

Following an uneventful flight from Florencia, the crew was cleared to descend to Neiva-Benito Salas Airport. On approach, the aircraft was unstable and after the GPWS alarm sounded, the captain increased power and gained altitude, causing the aircraft to climb over the glide. The approach was continued and the airplane passed over the threshold at a height of 140 feet and eventually landed 1,700 feet past the runway threshold at intersection Bravo (the runway is 5,249 feet long). After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure but two tyres burst and the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a grassy area. All 71 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-8-300 (Dash-8)

Following a normal approach and landing, the crew started the braking procedure. After a course of about 700 metres, the undercarriage slowly retracted. The aircraft came to rest on its belly and was damaged beyond repair. All 44 occupants escaped uninjured.

Douglas DC-9

The aircraft departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport at 1843LT with a delay of six hours because of technical problems with the electrical systems. At 1934LT, after being cleared to start the descent to Cartagena-Rafael Núñez Airport, the crew descended from FL190 to FL080 when radar contact was lost. Four minutes later, the pilot of a Cessna 208 operated by Aerocorales informed ARTCC about a plane descending vertically and crashing in a marshy field located near María La Baja. The wreckage was found about 40 km southeast of Cartagena Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and among the debris, a nine year old girl was found alive, all 51 other occupants have been killed.

Douglas DC-9

On approach to Tumaco-La Florida Airport, at a height of about 100 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and struck the runway surface. The crew was able to complete the braking procedure, vacated the runway and stopped the aircraft on the apron. All 92 occupants evacuated when the right wing partially failed. Few passengers were injured and the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.

Vickers Viscount

While cruising at an altitude of 16,000 feet on a cargo flight from Bogotá to San Andrés Island, the crew encountered atmospheric turbulences when both artificial horizons failed. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent but the crew was able to regain control at an altitude of 4,000. The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to divert to Medellín-José Maria Cordova Airport where the aircraft landed safely. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was written off. Post accident inspection showed substantial airframe damage including a crack in the lower main spar boom extending across 35% of its chord. It is believed that the initial damage had been caused by a landing gear collapse 14 February 1988 which was then exacerbated by the loss of control during the turbulence on this flight.