Cuenca – Macas

On March 24, 2006 at 11:02 AM, Cuenca – Macas experienced a crash involving Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, operated by ATESA - Aero Taxis Ecuatorianos, with the event recorded near Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Azuay.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a city crash site.

14 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 9 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 35.7%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 12, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from runway 05 at Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the engine failed. The airplane lost height, causing the nose wheel to struck the roof of a building. Out of control, the aircraft crashed onto a building occupied by a rubber company. Five passengers were killed while nine other occupants were seriously injured. There were no injuries on the ground. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration HC-BXD, MSN 208B-0591, year of manufacture 1997.