Shell Mera – Ambato
Flight / Schedule
Shell Mera – Ambato
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
HC-AUC
Operator
ATESA - Aero Taxis EcuatorianosDate
May 2, 1974 at 07:30 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Baños de Agua Santa Tungurahua
Region
South America • Ecuador
Coordinates
-1.3967°, -78.4237°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On May 2, 1974 at 07:30 PM, Shell Mera – Ambato experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by ATESA - Aero Taxis Ecuatorianos, with the event recorded near Baños de Agua Santa Tungurahua.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.
25 people were known to be on board, 20 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 80.0%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 22, passenger fatalities: 18, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. 17 minutes after its takeoff from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, while flying by night at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain with its left wing that was partially torn off. Out of control, the airplane crashed near Baños de Agua Santa. The wreckage was found the following morning and five injured people were evacuated while 20 other occupants were killed, among them two crew members.
Aircraft reference details include registration HC-AUC.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -1.3967°, -78.4237°.
Fatalities
Total
20
Crew
2
Passengers
18
Other
0
Crash Summary
17 minutes after its takeoff from Shell Mera-Río Amazonas Airport, while flying by night at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain with its left wing that was partially torn off. Out of control, the airplane crashed near Baños de Agua Santa. The wreckage was found the following morning and five injured people were evacuated while 20 other occupants were killed, among them two crew members.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
22
Estimated Survivors
5
Fatality Rate
80.0%
Known people on board: 25
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Shell Mera – Ambato
Operator
ATESA - Aero Taxis EcuatorianosFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
South America • Ecuador
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
HC-AUC
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