2016 Ecuadorian Army Arava crash
 An IAI Arava of the Honduran Air Force, similar to the crashed aircraft | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 15 March 2016 |
| Summary | Weather related |
| Site | Hacienda La Palmira, Pastaza, Ecuador 1°26′0″S 77°59′0″W / 1.43333°S 77.98333°W |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | IAI Arava 201[1] |
| Operator | Aviación del Ejército Ecuatoriana[1] |
| Registration | E-206[1] |
| Flight origin | Río Amazonas Airport |
| Passengers | 19 |
| Crew | 3 |
| Fatalities | 22 (all) |
On 15 March 2016, an IAI Arava transport aircraft of the Ecuadorian Air Force crashed in the eastern part of the country.[2][3][4]
Accident
The Arava took off from the Río Amazonas military airport in Shell Mera, Pastaza Province at 12:51 local time. It was carrying 19 paratroopers belonging to the 9th Special Forces ('Patria') Brigade, for a skydiving exercise; as well as 3 crew members (2 pilots and a mechanic). The pilot had reportedly asked for permission to return to the airport due to adverse weather conditions shortly before contact was lost with the aircraft.[5][6][7] Two Ecuadorian Air Force helicopters and ground patrols were dispatched to search for the missing aircraft.[6][8]
The aircraft crashed at 14:30 local time, near Fátima peak on a farm called La Palmira, killing all 22 on board.[1][9]
Reactions
Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa described the accident as a "tragedy". Defense Minister Ricardo Patiño and rescue teams rushed to the scene of the crash.[6]
Impact
The accident is the worst to have occurred to this aircraft type, the IAI Arava 201. In Ecuador it remains as the worst aviation disaster in decades.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "ASN Aircraft accident IAI Arava 201 E-206 Hacienda la Palmira, Pastaza". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ a b "Ecuador army plane crashes in Amazon region killing 22 - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
- ^ "Ecuador plane crash kills 22". CNN. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
- ^ "Ecuador army plane crash kills all 22 aboard: president". Business Recorder. Retrieved 2016-03-17.
- ^ "Military plane crashes in Ecuador, killing 22". Xinhuanet. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
- ^ a b c 杨希. "Military plane crashes in Ecuador, killing 22 - China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
- ^ "EL MUNDO - Diario Líder de Información en Bolivia - Evo expresa sus condolencias por la muerte de 22 militares en Ecuador". Periódico El Mundo. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ^ "Tragedia en Ecuador; 22 soldados fallecen en accidente de avión militar en la Amazonía | ANDES". www.andes.info.ec. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ^ "22 Ecuadorean Soldiers Killed in Amazon Plane Crash". www.telesurtv.net. Retrieved 2016-03-22.