Avianca Flight 03
An Avianca Douglas C-54, similar to the one involved. | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | January 14, 1966 |
| Summary | Stall following false fire alarm and subsequent pilot error. |
| Site | |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Douglas C-54 |
| Operator | Avianca |
| Registration | HK-730 |
| Flight origin | Cartagena-Crespo Airport, Cartagena, Colombia |
| Destination | El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, Colombia |
| Passengers | 60 |
| Crew | 4 |
| Fatalities | 56 |
| Survivors | 8 |
Avianca Flight 03 was a passenger flight from Cartagena, Colombia, to Bogotá, Colombia, that crashed on January 14, 1966. After takeoff, as the aircraft reached 100 ft (30 m), it stalled and crashed into shallow water. After a 14-month investigation, engine failure was found to be a possible, but unproven, cause. Poor maintenance and inadequate inspections were also suspected.