AEROSERVICIOS ECUATORIANOS, S. A. (AECA AIRLINES, S. A.): Apartado 4113, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Code 2A; Year Founded 1980. AECA is formed as a charter carrier at Guayaquil in December 1980. Equipped with a Douglas DC-8-55F, a Canadair CL-44D, and four Cessna single-engine lightplanes, the company inaugurates international and domestic passenger and cargo charters in early 1981. In midyear, multistop Douglas freighter operations link Guayaquil/Quito with Miami. Services remain unchanged.
Just after landing at Quito from Miami on September 18, 1984, the four-man crew of Flight 767-103, a DC-8-55F, are visited aboard their aircraft by members of the Ecuadorean Federation of Aircrews, who wish to discuss a pending strike. Following departure of the delegation and after consultation with management, the four elect not to participate in the job action and to depart for Guayaquil, their next stop, as quickly as possible. To hasten departure, the aircraft is towed to runway, with the engines started during the tow; pre-takeoff checks are not carried out and a 0.05deg horizontal stabilizer nose-up is thus undetected.
The aircraft barely makes it off the runway before descending, hitting the wooden structure of the ILS aerial and crashing into houses, destroying 25. All aboard the freighter are killed, along with 49 other persons on the ground.
Unable to maintain its viability on the international scene, AECA sells its DC-8 and CL-44 in 1988 and concentrates on short-range local operations surrounding the capital city. Contract services are also undertaken by President Alfredo Franco del Monaco’s fleet, which by 1993 comprises 2 Cessna 402s, 1 Cessna 310, and 1 Douglas DC-3.
With the economic situation improved in late 1994, the company elects to reenter the Florida freight market and places into service 1 Boeing 707-321B, 1 B-707-321C, and 1 B-727-23F, the latter leased.
Flights continue in 1995-2000, although the DC-3 is withdrawn.
World History
