Quito – Tulcán – Cali

On January 17, 2003 at 09:40 AM, Quito – Tulcán – Cali experienced a crash involving Fokker F28 Fellowship, operated by Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME, with the event recorded near Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City) Pichincha.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

77 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 77 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 72, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration HC-BMD, MSN 11220, year of manufacture 1984.