American Airlines Flight 965 Crash Analysis

Jul 4, 2024

American Airlines Flight 965 Tragedy

Incident Overview

  • Date: December 20, 1995
  • Flight: American Airlines 965
  • Route: Miami to Cali, Colombia
  • Aircraft: Boeing 757
  • Passengers and Crew: 163
  • Outcome: The plane crashed into a mountain at 9,000 feet near Buga, Colombia.
  • Survivors: Only 4 people survived the tragedy.

Timeline of Events

Pre-flight

  • Flight scheduled to depart at 4:40 p.m., but delayed 30 minutes at the gate.
  • More delays due to high season air traffic.
  • Finally departed 2 hours late, at 5:14 p.m.

During the Flight

  • The plane navigates a preprogrammed path using the Flight Management System (FMS).
  • The crew switches from approach to runway 01 to runway 19 as per Colombian air traffic control instructions.
  • Critical error when the captain selects the wrong 'R' waypoint in the FMS, leading the plane off course.

Critical Failures

  • Control tower without radar due to insurgent activities, relying on position updates from the pilots.
  • Misunderstanding in air traffic control instructions regarding the Túua marker.
  • The pilots attempt to correct their course several times but become completely lost.
  • Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alert sounds, but it is too late.

Impact and Rescue

  • The plane crashes into the mountain El Diluvio.
  • Only four survivors: Mercedes Ramirez, Maceo Reyes, Michelle Duan, and Gonzalo Duan Sr.
  • Rescue teams reach the crash site at dawn.

Investigations and Findings

  • Main Cause: Controlled flight into terrain due to navigation errors and misinterpretation of air traffic control instructions.
  • Contributing Factors:
    • Hasty change of landing plans.
    • Lack of confirmation and verification of waypoints entered into the FMS.
    • Inappropriate use of the speed brake.
  • Conclusion: Human error in navigation and flight management.

Lessons Learned

  • Importance of clear and precise communication between pilots and air traffic control.
  • Need to verify and confirm every adjustment in navigation systems.
  • Proper and timely use of the GPWS.
  • This accident is a classic case of how controlled flight can end in a fatal accident due to cumulative errors in the cockpit.

Emotional Impact

  • Survivors face great physical and emotional challenges after the tragedy.
  • Changes in air safety regulations and procedures.
  • This accident serves as a constant reminder of the importance of vigilance and professionalism in aviation.