Investigation Summary
On the evening of February 29, 1996, Flight 251 was conducting a scheduled domestic flight from Lima to Tacna with an intermediate stop in Arequipa. The approach to Rodriguez Ballon International Airport was performed at night under challenging meteorological conditions, including rain, mist, and reported thunderstorms. The crew was executing a VOR/DME approach to runway 09 after bypassing an ILS signal, which increased their reliance on barometric altimetry. During the approach, the flight crew contacted air traffic control to request that the runway lights be set to maximum intensity, as they were unable to see the airfield. The controller confirmed the lights were already at full brightness. At 20:25 local time, the Boeing 737 impacted a ridge approximately 6.3 kilometers short of the runway. The impact was so severe that the aft section of the aircraft broke off and fell into a crevasse, while the main fuselage continued forward, clearing the first ridge before impacting the top of a second ridge. The investigation revealed a critical altitude discrepancy: while the pilot reported passing the PADIS reporting point at 9,500 feet, the aircraft was actually at 8,644 feet. This error, caused by an outdated barometric setting, placed the aircraft below the safe glideslope and the surrounding terrain heights.
Final Conclusions
The DGAT Peru concluded that the primary cause was crew error, specifically descending below the official minimum altitude established for the VOR approach. The crew attempted to maintain visual flight rules (VFR) while in instrument meteorological conditions (IFR) due to a fog bank. A significant contributing factor was the use of an outdated barometric altimeter setting, which led the crew to believe they were 1,000 feet higher than their actual altitude. The investigation also noted that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) had not been properly maintained for six years, resulting in the loss of the final flight deck communications.
Video Analysis
Faucett Peru Flight 251 Aftermath Footage | 29 February 1996 Arequipa, Peru — Archival footage showing the wreckage of Faucett Flight 251 in the Andes Mountains near Arequipa, where the Boeing 737 impacted two ridges during approach.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Barometric Altimeter
The crew was issued or utilized an outdated pressure setting, causing the instrument to indicate an altitude approximately 850 to 1,000 feet higher than the actual height above sea level.
Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
The unit had not been opened for maintenance since December 1989, despite airline claims of recent service; it failed to record the accident flight.
VOR/DME Approach
A non-precision approach procedure that the crew was executing when they descended below the minimum safe altitude.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was 27 years old and had previously served with United Airlines, Aloha Airlines, AirCal, American Airlines, and Braniff Inc.
- 02The crash remains the deadliest aviation accident in Peruvian history.
- 03The airport elevation at Arequipa is 8,405 feet, but the aircraft impacted at 8,015 feet.
- 04The CVR magnetic tape was found broken and contained only old recordings from a maintenance hangar.
- 05The 123 victims included 83 Peruvians (77 passengers, 6 crew), 33 Chileans, 2 Belgians, 2 Canadians, 2 Bolivians, 2 Americans, and 1 Brazilian.
Safety Actions & Advisories
CVR Maintenance Oversight
The investigation highlighted the failure of the airline's maintenance program to ensure the serviceability of flight recorders, leading to stricter oversight of recorder inspections.