2016 Ecuadorian Army Arava crash

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.

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″S 77°59′0″W
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

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]