Investigation Summary
The flight departed La Vanguardia Airport at 3:25 PM for the approximately 75-kilometer trip to Bogota. The route requires crossing the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, where peaks frequently exceed 10,000 feet. While the aircraft was in its approach phase to El Dorado International Airport, it struck a mountainside at 7,700 feet (2,300 meters) near Quetame. The flight was operating in stormy weather at the time of the accident, which likely contributed to the Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). Air traffic control lost contact with the flight, leading to a formal emergency declaration at 5:00 PM. The aircraft involved was a veteran turboprop (MSN 212), originally built in 1956 for Capital Airlines in the United States, and had been operated by Aeropesca since March 1976.
Final Conclusions
The aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain near Quetame during its approach to Bogota while flying in stormy weather. The impact occurred at 7,700 feet, which is below the safe clearing altitude for the terrain in the immediate vicinity of the Bogota basin. The combination of mountainous terrain and poor meteorological conditions resulted in a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). All occupants perished in the accident.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Vickers Viscount 745D Propulsion
The aircraft was powered by four Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, a common configuration for mid-century short-to-medium haul transport.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Vickers Viscount 745D built in the United Kingdom in 1956 (MSN 212).
- 02The crash site was located at an elevation of 7,700 feet (2,300 meters) at coordinates 4°20′35″N 73°45′0″W.
- 03The flight was commanded by Captain Roberto Alfonso Simbaqueva, aged 46.
- 04The co-pilot was Alberto Leyva Garces, aged 25.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Operational Oversight Review
Source ↗Following a series of fatal CFIT accidents involving Aeropesca (later Intercontinental de Aviación), including Flight 217 and Flight 221, Colombian authorities increased scrutiny on the airline's adherence to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in mountainous terrain during Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).