ERA09WA084

On December 03, 2008 about 1835 eastern standard time, an Aero Commander 500, of Colombian registration, HK1697, registered to an individual and operated by Taxi Aero Caribeno LTDA, crashed in an open field, near Cordoba, Colombia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan was filed. The pilot and the copilot were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated from the Olaya Herrera International Airport (SKMD), Medellin, Colombia, earlier that day, at an unspecified time. The flight destination was to Los Garzones Airport (SKMR), Monteria, Colombia. According to information obtained from the Colombian Civil Aeronautical Authorities, the air traffic controller at Barranquilla authorized the flight, once at the intersection of IRETO, at an estimate time of 1830 to 1840, to descend to 5,000 feet and to report at 15 miles from the MTR VOR. The crew never communicated with the Barranquilla controllers for the position report. A search and rescue operation was launched. A military aircraft spotted an unusual heat source in an open field. The local police investigated the source and discovered the missing airplane. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Colombia. Any further information can be obtained from: Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Bogota, Colombia Telephone: 571.425.1000 This report is for informational purposes only, and contains information released by the Government of Colombia.