Investigation Summary
The flight departed Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellin at 10:47 local time, bound for a destination in the Ituango region. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, at 11:02, the aircraft struck trees and elevated terrain about 10 to 20 meters below a ridge line. The impact occurred in an area where instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were prevailing. The NTSB assisted the Colombian government's Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil (Aerocivil) in the investigation. The wreckage was located at coordinates 07 degrees 14 minutes North, 75 degrees 51 minutes West. The significant distance between Medellin and Ituango (approx. 115km) suggests the aircraft was likely in the cruise or early descent phase near its destination rather than in the initial climb from Medellin, given the 15-minute elapsed time.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without the aid of flight instruments or clearance, resulting in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). The aircraft impacted a ridge line approximately 15 minutes after departure from Medellin while en route to Ituango.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Airframe
The Cessna U206E is a single-engine, fixed-gear general aviation aircraft; the airframe was destroyed by impact forces.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Cessna U206E manufactured in 1970.
- 02Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the accident site.
- 03The accident occurred approximately 15 minutes after takeoff.
- 04The wreckage was located near Ituango, Colombia, at an elevation just below a ridge line.
- 05All six people on board sustained fatal injuries.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · Position recorded by the ntsb final report without a stated precision, so the ring shows roughly where the event occurred rather than an exact point. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.