2016 Ecuadorian Army Arava crash

Ecuadorian Air Force Arava crash
An IAI Arava of the Honduran Air Force, similar to the crashed aircraft
Accident
Date 15 March 2016 (2016-03-15)
Summary Crashed into high ground, poor weather
Site Hacienda La Palmira, Pastaza, Ecuador
1°26′0″S 77°59′0″W / 1.43333°S 77.98333°W / -1.43333; -77.98333Coordinates: 1°26′0″S 77°59′0″W / 1.43333°S 77.98333°W / -1.43333; -77.98333
Aircraft
Aircraft type IAI Arava 201
Operator Ecuadorian Army
Registration E-206
Flight origin Río Amazonas Airport, Ecuador
Occupants 22
Passengers 19
Crew 3
Fatalities 22
Survivors 0

On 15 March 2016, an IAI Arava transport aircraft of the Ecuadorian Army crashed in the eastern part of the country.[1][2][3] The accident is the deadliest involving an IAI Arava,[4] and the single deadliest incident suffered by the Ecuadorian military.

Accident

The Arava plane took off from the Río Amazonas military airport in Shell Mera in Pastaza Province at 12:51 local time. It was carrying 19 Ecuadorian 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] The aircraft crashed at 14:30 local time in a mountainous area, killing all 22 on board.[4][8]

Two Ecuadorian Air Force helicopters and ground patrols were dispatched to search for the missing plane, and the flight debris was located near the Fátima peak of Hacienda La Palmira.[6][9]

Reactions

Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa described the accident as a "tragedy" to the armed forces.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Ecuador army plane crashes in Amazon region killing 22 - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  2. ↑ "Ecuador plane crash kills 22". CNN. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  3. ↑ "Ecuador army plane crash kills all 22 aboard: president". Business Recorder. Retrieved 2016-03-17.
  4. 1 2 "ASN Aircraft accident IAI Arava 201 E-206 Hacienda la Palmira, Pastaza". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
  5. ↑ "Military plane crashes in Ecuador, killing 22". Xinhuanet. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 杨希. "Military plane crashes in Ecuador, killing 22 - China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "22 Ecuadorean Soldiers Killed in Amazon Plane Crash". www.telesurtv.net. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
  9. ↑ "Tragedia en Ecuador; 22 soldados fallecen en accidente de avión militar en la Amazonía | ANDES". www.andes.info.ec. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
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