Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME

Embraer ERJ-190

Following en uneventful flight from Quito, the crew initiated the descent to Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport Runway 23. Weather conditions at destination were poor with rain falls and a contaminated runway. The pilot-in-command continued the approach below the glide and the aircraft passed over the runway threshold at a height of 37 feet instead the recommended 50 feet. The airplane landed 277 metres past the runway threshold at a speed of 127 knots and the crew activated the spoilers and the reverse thrust systems. Due to poor braking action, the captain activated the autobrake system, without success. As the aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining distance, the captain intentionally turn to the right when the aircraft ground looped, overran and came to rest in a grassy area. All 93 occupants were rescued, among them two passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Embraer ERJ-190

Following an uneventful flight from Loja, the crew started the descent to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport runway 35 by night and poor weather conditions. After touchdown on wet runway 35, the aircraft encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went down an embankment, collided with a brick wall and came to rest. There was no fire. All 103 occupants were rescued, among them four passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft named 'Ciudad de Cuenca' was damaged beyond repair.

Fokker F28 Fellowship

During the takeoff roll on runway 35, at a speed of 125 knots, after a course of 2,110 metres, both tyres on the left main gear burst. The crew rejected the takeoff procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance (runway 35 is 3,120 metres long). It overran, causing the nose gear to collapse, and came to rest 81 metres further. All 77 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Boeing 727-100

The aircraft departed Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport runway 17 at 1001LT on a flight to Cali with an intermediate stop in Tulcán, carrying 87 passengers and 7 crew members. The flight was completed at an altitude of 18,000 feet on airway G-675 towards Ipiales, south Colombia. At a distance of 29 NM from Tulcán, the crew was cleared to descend to 14,000 feet and was briefed about the last weather conditions at destination. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to comply with the company SOP's and started the descent at an excessive speed of 230 knots while the approach procedure called for a speed of 180 knots. Also, the crew was not following the proper approach track for the Tulcán-Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla Airport. In poor visibility due to clouds, at an altitude of 14,700 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Cumbal located about 30 km northwest of Ipiales. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 94 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 1,400 feet below the summit.

Boeing 727-200

The flight from Bogotá to Quito was completed by TAME on a wet-lease contract for Air France, second leg from the AF422 flight from Paris to Quito via Bogotá operated by an Airbus A340. After takeoff from runway 13 at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the crew was cleared for a Girardot 1 departure that consist of continuing on runway heading for 2 miles after takeoff, followed by a 90° right turn over the Romeo beacon. For unknown reasons, the crew continued straight forward until the aircraft impacted the Mt El Cable located ahead of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 53 occupants were killed, among them 25 European Nationals, seven Italians, six French, three Danish, three Spanish, two Germans, two Austrians, one British and one Swiss. The wreckage was found 50 metres below the summit. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with rain, clouds at 2,300 feet and CB's.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

En route from Taura to Latacunga, the crew was cleared to climb to FL155 when, at an altitude of 13,400 feet, the twin engine aircraft stuck the slope of Mt Lozan shrouded in clouds. All 17 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 100 metres below the summit.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

En route from Macas to Taisha on behalf of the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility. The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Paso Macuna (1,500 meters high) located about 34 km west of Taisha. The wreckage was found 35 meters below the summit and all 22 occupants were killed.

Lockheed L-188 Electra

After takeoff from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, while climbing, the left main gear warning light remained on. The captain decided to divert to Taura AFB for an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 99 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lockheed L-188 Electra

The engine n°2 was inoperative due to technical problems and the crew decided to takeoff on a positioning flight to Quito with only three engines. Shortly after takeoff from Lago Agrio Airport, while in initial climb, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew lost control of the aircraft that banked left and crashed, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed.

Avro 748

After landing at Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew encountered technical problems and the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest few dozen meters further. All 38 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and later transferred to the Museum of the Ecuadorian Air Force in Quito.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Few minutes after takeoff from Loja Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. All 14 occupants were killed. The aircraft had a dual registration: civil HC-BCG and military FAE446.

Boeing 737-200

On final approach to Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames near the district of Gaullum, about 2 km short of runway 05 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 119 occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

The airplane was completing a flight from Quito to Macará, carrying members of the Ecuadorian government, Army Officers and journalists who were flying to the south of the country, taking part to the next official visit of the President of the Republic of Ecuador Jaime Roldós Aguilera. While descending to Macará, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and rain showers. Too low, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed few km from Macará. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 18 occupants were killed. The airplane had a dual registration FAE457 and HC-BAX.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances on Mt Illiniza near the 24 Mayo Airstrip. All seven occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The airplane had a dual registration FAE453 and HC-BAV.

Avro 748

Ten minutes after takeoff from Loja Airport, while cruising over mountains terrain at an altitude of 10,000 feet in good weather conditions, the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed on the mountain. Eight passengers were seriously injured while 34 other occupants were killed. The airplane had a dual registration FAE683 and HC-AUE.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on Mt de Hojas located southeast of Manta. Occupant's fate remains unknown.