Narrative:
The crew selected the frequency of the QMS VOR instead of the QIT VOR when trying to carry out the QIT VOR instrument approach procedure. This took the aircraft over the mountainous area 12 miles South of the planned track. The Gulfstream struck the Sincholagua Volcano at FL160.
The flight crew had limited experience on the Gulfstream II. They had completed simulator training in January 1995 and logged 105 flight hours since.
The aircraft had been chartered by Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales (YPF) from Argentina.
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes estimates that the accident occurred because the crew selected the wrong frequency, using the Condorcocha VOR instead of the Monjas VOR.
It also considers the lack of familiarity of the crew with instrument procedures of Quito Airport, the limited experience of the two crew members on the Grumman aircraft, neglect of the crew in the final phase of the flight to hold a private conversation, lack of compliance with verification of the frequency selection during descent briefing.
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
» www.explored.com.ec, 2-6-1995
accident date: 03-05-1995
type: Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159 Gulfstream II
registration: N404M
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 3 May 1995 |
| Time: | 23:45 |
| Type: |  Grumman G-1159 Gulfstream II |
| Operator: | American Jet |
| Registration: | N409MA |
| MSN: | 83 |
| First flight: | 1970 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | ca 50 km SSE of Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) ( Ecuador)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | La Paz-El Alto Airport (LPB/SLLP), Bolivia |
| Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO/SEQU), Ecuador |
The crew selected the frequency of the QMS VOR instead of the QIT VOR when trying to carry out the QIT VOR instrument approach procedure. This took the aircraft over the mountainous area 12 miles South of the planned track. The Gulfstream struck the Sincholagua Volcano at FL160.
The flight crew had limited experience on the Gulfstream II. They had completed simulator training in January 1995 and logged 105 flight hours since.
The aircraft had been chartered by Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales (YPF) from Argentina.
Probable Cause:
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes estimates that the accident occurred because the crew selected the wrong frequency, using the Condorcocha VOR instead of the Monjas VOR.
It also considers the lack of familiarity of the crew with instrument procedures of Quito Airport, the limited experience of the two crew members on the Grumman aircraft, neglect of the crew in the final phase of the flight to hold a private conversation, lack of compliance with verification of the frequency selection during descent briefing.
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» ICAO Adrep Summary 4/1995 (#14)» www.explored.com.ec, 2-6-1995
Photos
accident date: 03-05-1995
type: Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159 Gulfstream II
registration: N404M
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 La Paz-El Alto Airport to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport as the crow flies is 2134 km (1334 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from La Paz-El Alto Airport to Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport as the crow flies is 2134 km (1334 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
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: 
Ecuador
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Gulfstream
- 1616+ built
- 12th loss
- 9th fatal accident
- 4th worst accident (at the time)
- 9th worst accident (currently)
Ecuador- 28th worst accident (at the time)
- 31st worst accident (currently)
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