Narrative:
Avianca Flight 203 departed Bogotá at 07:11 for a flight to Cali, Colombia. While climbing through FL130, a improvised explosive device detonated in area under seat number 14F. The empty center fuel tank was then compromised and an ignition of fuel vapours inside the tank then set off a further break up of the aircraft.
In 1994, an assassin of the Medellin drug cartel, Dandeny Munoz-Mosquera, was convicted in connection with the crash. He allegedly had arranged to place the bomb aboard the aircraft because he believed that two informers who were cooperating with Colombian authorities were on board.
Sabotage
Loss of control
» Drug Trafficker Convicted Of Blowing Up Jetliner (NY Times, 20 Dec. 1994)
accident date: 27-11-1989
type: Boeing 727-21
registration: N326PA
| Status: | |
| Date: | Monday 27 November 1989 |
| Time: | 07:16 |
| Type: |  Boeing 727-21 |
| Operator: | Avianca |
| Registration: | HK-1803 |
| MSN: | 19035/272 |
| First flight: | 1966-05-19 (23 years 7 months) |
| Engines: | 3 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 101 / Occupants: 101 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 107 / Occupants: 107 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 16 km (10 mls) SW of Bogotá-Eldorado Airport (BOG) ( Colombia)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Bogotá-Eldorado Airport (BOG/SKBO), Colombia |
| Cali-Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (CLO/SKCL), Colombia | |
| Flightnumber: | AV203 |
Avianca Flight 203 departed Bogotá at 07:11 for a flight to Cali, Colombia. While climbing through FL130, a improvised explosive device detonated in area under seat number 14F. The empty center fuel tank was then compromised and an ignition of fuel vapours inside the tank then set off a further break up of the aircraft.
In 1994, an assassin of the Medellin drug cartel, Dandeny Munoz-Mosquera, was convicted in connection with the crash. He allegedly had arranged to place the bomb aboard the aircraft because he believed that two informers who were cooperating with Colombian authorities were on board.
Classification:
Fuel tank explosion Sabotage
Loss of control
Sources:
» USDOJ/OIG Special Report» Drug Trafficker Convicted Of Blowing Up Jetliner (NY Times, 20 Dec. 1994)
Photos
accident date: 27-11-1989
type: Boeing 727-21
registration: N326PA
Aircraft history
| date | registration | operator | remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 MAY 1966 | N326PA | Pan Am | |
| 15 NOV 1975 | HK-1803 | Avianca |
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Bogotá-Eldorado Airport to Cali-Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport as the crow flies is 278 km (174 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
Distance from Bogotá-Eldorado Airport to Cali-Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport as the crow flies is 278 km (174 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
languages: 
Colombia
Share
Boeing 727
- 1832 built
- 58th loss
- 42nd fatal accident
- 17th worst accident (at the time)
- 21st worst accident (currently)
Colombia- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 4th worst accident (currently)
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation