Douglas DC-3 crash, Apr 6, 2016, Puerto Gaitán
Douglas DC-3 accident on April 6, 2016 near Puerto Gaitán, Casanare, Colombia with no fatalities. Cause: BAAA database (citing Aerocivil): failure of...
- Date: April 6, 2016
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-3
- Location: Puerto Gaitán, Casanare, Colombia
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: BAAA database (citing Aerocivil): failure of the left engine after a cylinder head detached shortly after takeoff, with maintenance process deficiencies contributing; the crew did not follow the emergency procedures when the engine caught fire, which reduced power from the right engine.
Shortly after takeoff from Puerto Gaitan on a cargo flight to Villavicencio, the left engine of this Arall Douglas DC3 suffered a cylinder head failure, then caught fire and exploded. The crew attempted an emergency landing in an open field about 2.6 km southwest of the airport, where the aircraft crashed and was destroyed by post crash fire. All three crew escaped.