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″S77°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.

Contents

• Accident
• Reactions
• References

Accident

The 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

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

References