The Tragic Story of Airline Flight 965: What Went Wrong?

The Tragic Story of Airline Flight 965: What Went Wrong?

On December 20, 1995, American Airlines Flight 965 departed Miami International Airport en route to Cali, Colombia. The flight, operated by a Boeing 757, had 155 passengers and crew members on board. The journey was going smoothly until the final approach into Cali, when a series of catastrophic events led to the worst air disaster in Colombian history.

The Flight Preparation

Before the flight, the pilots received a briefing from the dispatch regarding the weather and the runway conditions. The dispatch provided the pilots with the latest weather reports and information about the route, including the optimum altitude to fly. The pilots conducted a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft, ensuring that the necessary equipment, such as navigational aids and communication systems, were functioning correctly.

The Flight Path

Flight 965 followed a standard route, flying over the Andes Mountains before landing at Cali Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport. However, the pilot deviated from the regular path, choosing to approach Cali from a direction that he was unfamiliar with. As a result, the crew could not locate the required radio beacon to guide the plane towards the runway.

The Communication Breakdown

As Flight 965 approached Cali, the pilot made contact with the air traffic controller and reported that the aircraft was at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The controller then cleared the flight to descend to 9,000 feet and turn right to the Cali VOR beacon. However, the clearance given by the controller was unclear, and the pilot mistakenly believed that he was cleared to descend to 8,000 feet.

The miscommunication between the pilot and the controller continued, and the flight descended towards the ground at an alarming rate. The crew then attempted to abort the approach and prepare for another attempt. Unfortunately, the airplane was now flying too low for a second attempt, and the crew could not regain altitude in time to avoid a crash.

The Crash

Airline Flight 965 crashed into a mountain at an altitude of 8,900 feet, killing 159 passengers and crew members. Only four people survived the crash. The aircraft was destroyed on impact, and the wreckage was scattered across the mountain and surrounding areas. The crash site was difficult to access, given that it was located deep in the Andes Mountains.

The Investigation

Following the crash, the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The investigation revealed multiple factors that contributed to the disaster, including poor communication between the pilot and the controller, inadequate training of the crew, and errors in navigational communication.

The Aftermath

The families of the victims were devastated by the tragedy and struggled to come to terms with their loss. The crash of Airline Flight 965 was a stark reminder of the importance of effective communication and accurate navigational procedures in aviation.

In conclusion, the crash of Airline Flight 965 was a tragedy that could have been avoided with proper training, effective communication, and accurate navigational procedures. The incident serves as a warning to aviation industry professionals and underscores the need for continued vigilance to ensure that safety remains a top priority in air travel.