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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. AccidentThe 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] ReactionsEcuadorian president Rafael Correa described the accident as a "tragedy" to the armed forces.[6] References
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