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.
 An IAI Arava of the Honduran Air Force, similar to the crashed aircraft | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 15 March 2016 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Accident
editThe Arava plane took off from the Río Amazonas military airport in Shell 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]
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][8]
Reactions
editEcuadorian president Rafael Correa described the accident as a "tragedy" to the armed forces.[6]
References
edit- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2016-03-17.
- ^ a b "ASN Aircraft accident IAI Arava 201 E-206 Hacienda la Palmira, Pastaza". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ "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.