View source for Avianca Flight 203

{{short description|1989 airliner bombing}}
{{Infobox aircraft occurrence
| name = Avianca Flight 203
| image = Avianca Boeing 727-21 HK-1803.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = HK-1803, the aircraft involved in the bombing, pictured in 1982
| occurrence_type = Bombing
| date = November 27, 1989
| summary = In-flight breakup due to terrorist bombing
| site = Cerro Canoas, [[Soacha]], [[Colombia]]
| coordinates = {{coord|4|33|30|N|74|15|45|W|type:event_region:CO|display=inline,title}}
| total_fatalities = 110
| ground_fatalities = 3
| aircraft_type = [[Boeing 727-21]]
| aircraft_name = 
| operator = [[Avianca]]
| IATA            = AV203
| ICAO            = AVA203
| callsign        = AVIANCA 203
| tail_number = HK-1803
| origin = [[El Dorado International Airport|El Dorado Int'l Airport]]
| stopover = 
| stopover0 = 
| last_stopover = 
| destination = [[Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport|Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Int'l Airport]]
| occupants = 107
| passengers = 101
| crew = 6
| fatalities = 107
| injuries = 
| missing = 
| survivors = 0
}}
{{Campaignbox Colombian conflict|state=collapsed}}'''Avianca Flight 203''' was a Colombian [[Domestic flight|domestic passenger flight]] from [[El Dorado International Airport]] in [[Bogotá]] to [[Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport]] in [[Cali]], [[Colombia]]. It was destroyed by a [[bomb]] over the municipality of [[Soacha]] on November 27, 1989.<ref name="20years" /> All 107 people on board as well as three people on the ground were killed. The bombing had been ordered by the [[Medellín Cartel|Medellín drug cartel]].

== Aircraft and crew ==
The aircraft was a [[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-21]] with [[Aircraft registration#List of countries.2Fregions and their registration prefixes and patterns|registration number]] HK-1803, serial number 19035, and&nbsp;line number 272. The aircraft was built in 1966, and had its maiden flight on May 19 of the same year. The aircraft was delivered to [[Pan American World Airways|Pan Am]] on May 28, and was registered as N326PA. Avianca acquired the aircraft in November 1975, when it was re-registered as HK-1803.<ref name="ASN" /><ref name="jetphotos" />

The captain was José Ignacio Ossa Aristizábal (40), the first officer was Fernando Pizarro Esguerra (22), and the flight engineer was Luis Jairo Castiblanco Vargas (34). There were three flight attendants on board.<ref name="rcnradio"/>

== Flight ==
Flight 203 took off as scheduled at 07:13. Five minutes into the flight, at a speed of {{convert|794|km/h|kn|abbr=off}} and an altitude of {{convert|13000|ft|m|abbr=off}}, an [[explosive charge]] detonated, causing fuel vapors in the empty central [[fuel tank]] to ignite. Eyewitnesses on the ground reported seeing fire erupt out of the right side of the aircraft's [[fuselage]]. A second blast ripped the airliner apart; the nose section separated from the [[empennage|tail section]], which went down in flames. The wreckage was scattered in a {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off|order=flip|adj=on|spell=on}} radius around the town of Soacha. All 107 people on board were killed, as well as three people on the ground who were hit by falling debris.<ref name="ASN" /><ref name="westword" />

== Aftermath ==
An investigation determined that [[plastic explosive]]s were used to destroy the plane.<ref>{{cite news |last=González |first=Jorge |date=28 November 1989 |title=Más de cien muertos al estallar en vuelo un avión colombiano |language=es |trans-title=More than a hundred dead when a Colombian plane explodes in flight |volume=86 |page=17 |newspaper=Diario ABC |publisher=Diario ABC, S.L. (Grupo Vocento/Vocento, S.A.) |issue=27068 |publication-place=Madrid, Spain |editor1-last=Elvira |editor1-first=Enrique |url=https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19891128-17.html |issn=1136-0232 |editor2-first=Isaac |editor2-last=Blasco |editor3-first=Álvaro |editor3-last=Martínez |editor4-first=Fernández-Miranda |editor4-last=Juan |editor5-first=Alexis |editor5-last=Rodríguez |editor6-first=Eduardo |editor6-last=de Rivas |editor7-first=Jorge |editor7-last=Sanz |editor8-first=Isabel |editor8-last=Gutiérrez |editor9-first=María Jesús |editor9-last=Pérez |editor10-first=Nuria |editor10-last=Ramírez |editor11-first=Sebastián |editor11-last=Basco |editor12-last=Luca de Tena |editor12-first=Catalina |editor13-first=Bieito |editor13-last=Rubido Ramonde}}</ref> Drug king [[Pablo Escobar]], of the [[Medellín Cartel|Medellín drug cartel]], planned the bombing in the lead-up to the [[1990 Colombian presidential election|1990 elections]], hoping the bomb plot would kill presidential candidate [[César Gaviria]].<ref name="Bowden" />{{Rp|80}}<ref name="OBJECTIVE-GAVIRIA" /> One account states that two unidentified men dressed in suits who worked for Escobar carried the bomb on board. The men sat in seats 18A and 18K, located above the main fuel tank. At the last moment, one of the men left the aircraft, while his partner stayed on board and was killed in the bombing. A young Colombian man named Alberto Prieto was duped into staying on the flight and activating the bomb once the aircraft had become airborne, thus unknowingly killing himself; he had been told the device was just a recorder he had to turn on to record the conversation of a nearby couple of passengers; because of this, the man had been nicknamed "El Suizo", or "The Swiss", in reference to his role as a "suicide" bomber.<ref>{{cite news |last=Viana |first=Israel |date=27 November 2019 |title=Avianca 203: lo que no te contaron de los 110 muertos (y sus asesinos) del peor atentado de Pablo Escobar |language=es |trans-title=Avianca 203: what they didn't tell you about the 110 dead (and their murderers) of Pablo Escobar's worst attack |work=Diario ABC |publisher=Diario ABC, S.L. (Grupo Vocento/Vocento, S.A.) |publication-place=Madrid, Spain |editor1-last=Elvira |editor1-first=Enrique |url=https://www.abc.es/historia/abci-avianca-203-no-contaron-110-muertos-y-asesinos-peor-atentado-pablo-escobar-201911262009_noticia.html |access-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204112403/https://www.abc.es/historia/abci-avianca-203-no-contaron-110-muertos-y-asesinos-peor-atentado-pablo-escobar-201911262009_noticia.html |archive-date=4 December 2019 |issn=1136-0232 |editor2-first=Isaac |editor2-last=Blasco |editor3-first=Álvaro |editor3-last=Martínez |editor4-first=Fernández-Miranda |editor4-last=Juan |editor5-first=Alexis |editor5-last=Rodríguez |editor6-first=Eduardo |editor6-last=de Rivas |editor7-first=Jorge |editor7-last=Sanz |editor8-first=Isabel |editor8-last=Gutiérrez |editor9-first=María Jesús |editor9-last=Pérez |editor10-first=Nuria |editor10-last=Ramírez |editor11-first=Sebastián |editor11-last=Basco |editor12-last=Luca de Tena |editor12-first=Catalina |editor13-first=Bieito |editor13-last=Rubido Ramonde}}</ref> Gaviria was not on the aircraft, despite Escobar's expectations, and went on to be elected [[President of Colombia|president]].<ref name="Bowden" />{{Rp|81}} Two Americans were among the dead, prompting the [[Presidency of George H. W. Bush|Bush administration]] to begin [[Intelligence Support Activity]] operations to find Escobar.<ref name="Bowden" />{{Rp|81}}<ref name="Semana" />

Nine days after the bombing of the plane, the [[DAS Building bombing]], presumably also ordered by the Medellín Cartel, killed 63 people in [[Bogotá]].<ref name="jetliner">{{cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |date=December 20, 1994 |title=Drug Trafficker Convicted Of Blowing Up Jetliner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/20/nyregion/drug-trafficker-convicted-of-blowing-up-jetliner.html |access-date=26 November 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="AP">{{Cite news |date=1995-05-05 |title=Man Who Bombed Avianca Flight Sentenced to Life |url=https://www.apnews.com/e6ed187c3137830e026c3e843677587a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031091202/https://www.apnews.com/e6ed187c3137830e026c3e843677587a |archive-date=2018-10-31 |access-date=2018-10-30 |work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

[[Dandeny Muñoz Mosquera]], the chief [[Assassination|assassin]] for the Medellín Cartel, was convicted in 1994 in [[United States District Court]] of having been involved in the bombing and various other crimes, and was sentenced to 10 consecutive [[life sentence]]s.<ref name="westword"/><ref name="nyt"/>

== Later events ==
On November 28, 2016, the Colombian newspaper ''[[El Espectador]]'' started publishing an investigative report, consisting of 8 chapters, on Flight 203.<ref name="elespectador-report" /> It argues that the explosion was caused by a malfunctioning [[Fuel pump (engine)|fuel pump]] inside a tank which had been reported several times before.<ref name="elespectador-report-5chap" /> The report was heavily criticized by Avianca and family members of the victims.<ref name="elespectador-report-response" />

== In popular culture ==  
This event is dramatized in Season 1, Episode 6 of ''[[Narcos]]'' (2015).{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Colombia|Aviation|1980s}}
* [[Metrojet Flight 9268]]
* [[Iraqi Airways Flight 163]]
* [[Pan Am Flight 103]]
* [[Air India Flight 182]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="20years">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byTR6eyCjf8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/byTR6eyCjf8| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Vuelo 1803, 20 años después|website=[[YouTube]]|date=27 November 2009 |publisher=Testigo Directo|language=es|trans-title=Flight 1803, 20 years later|access-date=2020-04-13}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
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<ref name="ASN">{{cite news |first=Harro |last=Ranter |website=Aviation Safety Network (ASN) |title=Aircraft accident Boeing 727-21 HK-1803 Bogotá-Eldorado Airport (BOG) |place=Alexandria, United States |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |editor1-first=Harro |editor1-last=Ranter |editor2-first=Fabian I. |editor2-last=Lujan |editor3-last=Jackman |editor3-first=Frank |editor4-first=Mark |editor4-last=Millam |editor5-first=Liz |editor5-last=Solorzano |editor6-first=Louise |editor6-last=Martin |editor7-first=Hassan |editor7-last=Shahidi |editor8-first=Conor |editor8-last=Nolan |editor9-first=Kenneth P. |editor9-last=Quinn |editor10-first=John R. |editor10-last=Watret |editor11-first=John |editor11-last=Hamilton |editor12-first=Jerry |editor12-last=Lederer |access-date=5 June 2021 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012065507/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19891127-0 |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19891127-0 |url-status=live |language=English }}</ref>
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<ref name="jetphotos">{{cite web |first1=Omar Alex |last1=Saffe |first2=De Rudder |last2=Simon |first3=de Boer |last3=Pamela |first4=Dana |last4=Low |first5=Sandra |last5=Jeuken |first6=Gerardo |last6=Dominguez |first7=James |last7=Rowson |first8=Sebastian |last8=Sowa |title=HK-1803: Boeing 727-21 - 19035, operated by Avianca |place=Stockholm, Sweden |website=JetPhotos (jetphotos.net) |publisher=Flightradar24 AB |archive-date=28 November 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128195539/http://www.jetphotos.net/census/aircraft2.php?msnid=727-19035 |access-date=5 June 2021 |url=http://www.jetphotos.net/census/aircraft2.php?msnid=727-19035 |editor1-first=Omar Alexander |editor1-last=Saffe |editor2-first=Simon |editor2-last=De Rudder |editor3-first=Pamela |editor3-last=De Boer |editor4-first=Dana |editor4-last=Low |editor5-first=Gerardo |editor5-last=Dominguez |editor6-first=Sandra |editor6-last=Jeuken |editor7-first=James |editor7-last=Rowson |editor8-first=Sebastian |editor8-last=Sowa |editor9-first=Stefan |editor9-last=Kuhn |editor10-first=Erwin |editor10-last=Stam }}</ref>
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<ref name="rcnradio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rcnradio.com/colombia/tras-25-anos-familiares-de-victimas-de-explosion-en-avion-de-avianca-instauraran-demandaran|title=Tras 25 años, familiares de víctimas de explosión en avión de Avianca instaurarán demanda ante CIDH|date=2014-11-21|website=RCN Radio|language=es|trans-title=After 25 years, relatives of victims of an explosion in Avianca plane will file a complaint with the IACHR|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref>
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<ref name="westword">{{cite news |work=Westword |title=The hit man nobody knows |first=Alan |last=Prendergast |date=17 May 2001 |access-date=5 June 2021 |url=https://www.westword.com/news/the-hit-man-nobody-knows-5066904 |publication-place=Denver, United States |editor1-first=Patricia |editor1-last=Calhoun |editor2-last=Le |editor2-first=Jane R. |editor3-first=Michael |editor3-last=Wilson |editor4-first=Patrick |editor4-last=Eul |editor5-first=Chris |editor5-last=Arneson |editor6-first=Erin |editor6-last=Kirk |editor7-first=Allie |editor7-last=Seidel |editor8-first=Tyler |editor8-last=Koepke |editor9-first=Chris |editor9-last=Speed |editor10-first=April |editor10-last=Padilla |editor11-first=Anna |editor11-last=Hortik |editor12-first=Sarah |editor12-last=Dunahay |editor13-first=Tracy |editor13-last=Kontrelos |editor14-first=Scott |editor14-last=Tobias |publisher=Denver Westword, LLC. (Voice Media Group/VMG National/Voice Media Group, LLC.) |language=English |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205094556/https://www.westword.com/news/the-hit-man-nobody-knows-5066904 |archive-date=5 February 2021 }}</ref>
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<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Michael|date=1995-05-06|title=For Medellin Assassin, 10 Life Sentences|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/06/nyregion/for-medellin-assassin-10-life-sentences.html|access-date=2020-08-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
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<ref name="Bowden">{{cite book |title=[[Killing Pablo (book)|Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw]] |last=Bowden |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Bowden |date=2001 |publisher=[[Atlantic Monthly Press]] |isbn=0-87113-783-6 |location=[[New York City|New York]], United States |edition=1st }}</ref>
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<ref name="OBJECTIVE-GAVIRIA">{{cite news|url=http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/objetivo-gaviria/25450-3|title=OBJETIVO: GAVIRIA|date=8 May 1995|work=[[Semana]]|language=es|trans-title=OBJECTIVE: GAVIRIA|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref>
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<ref name="Semana">{{Cite news|url=http://www.semana.com/on-line/articulo/el-suizo-hombre-volo-avion-avianca-durante-aciagos-tiempos-del-narcoterrorismo/87501-3|title=El 'Suizo', el hombre que voló avión de Avianca durante los aciagos tiempos del narcoterrorismo|newspaper=Semana.com Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo |date=2007-08-06|publisher=Semana|language=es|trans-title=The 'Swiss', the man who flew Avianca's plane during the dark days of narcoterrorism|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718081052/http://www.semana.com/on-line/articulo/el-suizo-hombre-volo-avion-avianca-durante-aciagos-tiempos-del-narcoterrorismo/87501-3|archive-date=2013-07-18|access-date=2020-04-13|author1=Semana }}</ref>
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<ref name="elespectador-report">{{cite news|url=https://www.elespectador.com/noticias/nacional/avianca-203-historia-nunca-nos-contaron-articulo-667717|title=Avianca 203, la historia que nunca nos contaron|last1=Hoffman|first1=Thomas|newspaper=[[El Espectador]]|last2=Correa|first2=Pablo|language=es|trans-title=Avianca 203, the story they never told us|last3=Silva|first3=Sergio|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref>
<!-- + -->
<ref name="elespectador-report-5chap">{{cite news|url=https://www.elespectador.com/static_specials/31/avianca-203/capitulo5.html|title=Avianca 203, la historia que nunca nos contaron. Capitulo 5: El detalle inconveniente|last1=Hoffman|first1=Thomas|date=December 2, 2016|newspaper=[[El Espectador]]|last2=Correa|first2=Pablo|language=es|trans-title=Avianca 203, the story they never told us. Chapter 5: The inconvenient detail|last3=Silva|first3=Sergio|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2020-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128172123/https://www.elespectador.com/static_specials/31/avianca-203/capitulo5.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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<ref name="elespectador-report-response">{{cite news|url=http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/investigacion/familiares-de-fallecidos-de-avion-de-avianca-1989-respo-articulo-668067|title=Familiares de fallecidos de avión de Avianca, en 1989, responden a investigación de El Espectador|newspaper=[[El Espectador]]|language=es|trans-title=Family members of Avianca's plane dead in 1989 respond to El Espectador's investigation|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* {{ASN accident|id=19891127-0|type=Criminal Occurrence}}
{{Avianca}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in Colombia}}
{{Aviation incidents and accidents in 1989}}

[[Category:1989 in Colombia]]
[[Category:1989 murders in Colombia]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 1989]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 1989]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in South America in 1989]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Colombia in the 1980s]]
[[Category:November 1989 in South America]]
[[Category:Airliner bombings]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Colombia]]
[[Category:Avianca accidents and incidents]]
[[Category:Accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 727]]
[[Category:Failed assassination attempts in South America]]
[[Category:20th-century mass murder in Colombia]]
[[Category:Organized crime events in Colombia]]
[[Category:Colombian conflict]]
[[Category:Medellín Cartel]]
[[Category:Pablo Escobar]]
[[Category:1989 disasters in Colombia]]
[[Category:Military history of Bogotá]]
[[Category:Soacha]]