Colombian Military Plane Crash Caused by Striking Trees After Takeoff: Preliminary Report
Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A preliminary investigation into the March 23 crash of a military Hercules aircraft in Colombia indicates the cause was striking trees shortly after takeoff.
- The aircraft, carrying 125 military personnel and ammunition, crashed near Puerto Leguízamo, resulting in the deaths of 69 soldiers.
- Investigators are examining whether human error or mechanical failure contributed, but ruled out overloading and adverse weather conditions.
The Colombian Air Force has released preliminary findings into the tragic crash of a Hercules military aircraft on March 23, identifying the impact with trees shortly after takeoff as the likely cause. This devastating incident, which claimed the lives of 69 soldiers and injured others, occurred as the aircraft departed from Puerto Leguízamo in the Putumayo department, near the borders with Ecuador and Peru.
The aircraft hit three trees just four seconds after takeoff.
Colonel Luis Fernando Giraldo, Director of Security for the Colombian Air Force, stated that the aircraft struck three trees just four seconds after liftoff. The investigation uncovered "vegetation material" within two of the aircraft's engines, which could have compromised its aerodynamic performance and controllability. This detail suggests a critical failure in the moments immediately following departure.
While the exact cause—whether human or mechanical error—remains under investigation, the Air Force has excluded factors such as excessive weight or unfavorable weather conditions. The aircraft was transporting over 120 individuals and ammunition, the explosion of which caused injuries to local residents who were attempting to assist the survivors.
Vegetation material in two engines could have affected the aerodynamic performance of the left wing and the aircraft's controllability.
The Hercules, a versatile four-engine turboprop aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is known for its ability to operate from rudimentary airfields and is widely used by militaries globally for transporting personnel and vehicles. The investigation continues to piece together the sequence of events that led to this catastrophic loss of life, aiming to provide closure and implement measures to prevent future tragedies.
It is not yet possible to determine whether the crash was caused by human or mechanical error.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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