Investigation Summary
The flight was a domestic charter transporting members of the Witoto indigenous community. Shortly after departure, the pilot declared an emergency, citing engine issues. The aircraft impacted the jungle canopy in a near-vertical attitude, which resulted in the destruction of the forward cabin and the immediate death of the pilot and the adult passenger seated in the front, indigenous leader Herman Mendoza Hernández. The mother, seated in the middle row, initially survived the impact but died four days later. The four children in the rear of the aircraft survived with minor injuries. The investigation revealed that this specific airframe, HK-2803, had been involved in a previous serious accident on July 25, 2021, near Sonaña. The final report highlighted that the return-to-service process following the 2021 crash may have involved maintenance failures, specifically regarding the traceability of replacement parts and compliance with Colombian Aeronautical Regulations (RAC43). These maintenance issues were cited as a probable factor in the eventual fuel flow interruption or engine malfunction. The subsequent search, named Operation Hope, involved over 300 personnel and utilized specialized equipment, including loudspeakers broadcasting messages from the children's grandmother. The children were eventually located approximately 5 kilometers from the crash site, having survived on cassava flour salvaged from the wreck and native fruits like bacaba palm and avichure seeds.
Final Conclusions
The final report, published in 2025 by the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority, determined the primary cause was an engine failure. The failure was likely triggered by issues within the fuel system or fuel contamination. The investigation highlighted the survival of the children as a result of their cultural knowledge of the rainforest environment. Safety recommendations were issued regarding fuel system inspection protocols, the enhancement of search and rescue services in remote regions, and specific operational requirements for flights over the Amazon basin.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
They Lost Their Mom in a Plane Crash and Survived 40 Days in the Amazon — A detailed look at the May 1, 2023 crash of a Cessna 206 in the Colombian jungle and the miraculous 40-day survival story of four siblings.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Hernando Murcia Morales, aged 57.
Systems & Failure Modes
Continental IO-520 Engine
The aircraft's power plant, which suffered a total failure during the flight, leading to the forced landing in the jungle.
Fuel System
Identified by investigators as the likely source of the engine failure, potentially due to contamination or mechanical malfunction.
Interesting Facts
- 01The children survived by eating cassava flour from the plane and native fruits like bacaba palm and avichure seeds.
- 02The search operation, known as Operation Hope, involved 150 troops and 200 indigenous volunteers.
- 03The aircraft was a 1982-built Cessna U206G Stationair.
- 04The children were members of the Witoto indigenous group, which provided them with essential survival skills.
- 05The pilot had approximately 8,300 flight hours of experience.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Fuel System Inspection
The investigation recommended more rigorous inspection protocols for fuel systems on aircraft operating in remote regions.
Amazon Operational Standards
New recommendations were issued for flight operations over the Amazon region to improve safety and emergency response.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Premature Discovery Announcement
Reference ↗President Gustavo Petro tweeted that the children had been found on May 17, but had to retract the statement the following day when it was revealed the information was unconfirmed.