SAM Colombia - Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellín

Boeing 727-100

On the leg from Panama City to Medellín, the crew was approaching the Abejorral NDB at an altitude of 16,000 feet and was cleared to descend to FL120. Few minutes later, while descending to the altitude of 12,300 feet in poor weather conditions, the three engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Páramo Frontino located about 85 km northwest of Medellín-José María Córdova Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 132 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to clouds, mist and rain.

Boeing 727-100

For unknown reasons, the airplane belly landed at San Andrés Airport and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

En route from San Andrés Island to Medellín, while cruising in bad weather conditions, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems on the left engine and elected to divert to Planeta Rica. On approach, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Los Mellos located about 11 km from the airfield. Three crew members and 22 passengers were killed while 21 other occupants were injured.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Twenty minutes after his departure from San Andrés Island, while cruising at an altitude of 9,500 feet, the captain informed ATC about his position vertical to PC-2 beacon in good weather conditions. This was the last radio transmission. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended three days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 45 occupants was found. Eight days later, some equipment of the right main gear were found on a beach of the Moron Island in Panama.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Shortly after takeoff from Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport runway 02, while in initial climb, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland where the airplane crash landed. Both crew members were uninjured while the C-46 was damaged beyond repair.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

The crew was approaching Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Guarne, about 17 km northeast of the airfield. Both crew members were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft left Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 0540LT on a cargo flight to Cartagena. Few minutes later, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and obtained the permission to return for an emergency landing. While approaching the airfield from the northwest, the airplane hit the chimney of the Tejícondor factory located in the suburb of Belén, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both crew members and one person on the ground were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

A maintenance was performed on the left engine and the aircraft was involved in a post maintenance test flight. With two mechanics and two pilots on board, the airplane left Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 1442LT and completed several circuits in the region. At 1524LT, the crew was cleared to land when on approach, the aircraft went through an area of torrential rains with strong winds. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in a field. The mechanic David Alvarez and the copilot Manuel Carreño French were killed while the captain and the second mechanic were injured.