Avianca Flight 03
1966 aviation accident
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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.[2][3][4]
 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.[1] |
| 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 |
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Douglas C-54, the military version of the Douglas DC-4 produced during World War II, registered HK-730 to Avianca. The aircraft involved was produced in 1944; because of military needs, it was equipped with larger fuel tanks, which allowed for intercontinental passenger flights.[5]
