View source for SAM Colombia

{{Short description|Colombian airline 1945–2010}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline        = Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellin Consolidada S.A.
| logo           = Samcolombialogo.jpg
| logo_size      = 100
| IATA           = MM
| ICAO           = SAM
| callsign       = SAM
| parent         = [[Avianca]]
| founded        = October 6, 1945
| commenced      = 
| ceased         = October 4, 2010
| headquarters   = [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia]]
| fleet_size     = 15
| destinations   = 20 ([[Avianca#Destinations|See ''Avianca'']])
| hubs           = {{nowrap|[[El Dorado International Airport]]}}
| secondary_hubs = 
*[[Terminal Puente Aéreo]]
*[[José María Córdova International Airport]]
| focus_cities   = 
| frequent_flyer = AviancaPlus
| alliance       = Alianza Summa <small>(2002-2003)</small>
| subsidiaries   =
| key_people     = Fabio Villegas Ramírez ([[CEO]])
| founders       = Luis H. Coulson, Gilberto Escobar, Julián Restrepo, Joaquín Londoño, and Gustavo Correa
| website        = {{URL|http://www.avianca.com/}}
}}

'''SAM''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] [[acronym]]: ''Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellín'') was a Colombian airline. With its main hub at [[El Dorado International Airport]] in [[Bogotá]], SAM operated domestic and international routes and was a subsidiary of [[Avianca]]. In 2004, its headquarters were in the Avianca headquarters in Bogotá.<ref>"Directory: World airlines." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 30-April 5, 2004. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200305.html?search=%22SAM%20Colombia%22 63].</ref>

==History==
{{essay|date=July 2013}}

===Early operations===
[[File:Lockheed L188A HK-555 SAM MIA 01.12.73 edited-3.jpg|thumb|A former SAM [[Lockheed L-188A Electra]] operating a freight service at [[Miami International Airport]] in 1973]]

In the 1940s, a group of entrepreneurs promoted the idea of providing the city of [[Medellín]] with an air transportation system that would connect with the rest of the country and the world. In October 1945, at the 3rd Notary Public's Office, a deed incorporating ''Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellín S.A.'' was recorded. The airline was in the minds of its first partners and promoters, who from the beginning of 1946 began to bring their dream to fruition.

The company had originally intended to acquire small aircraft, but the concept changed and grew. The airline would acquire long-range aircraft to secure the cargo market to and from Miami. The airline's first [[Douglas C-47]] arrived in October 1946 and departed from Las Playas Airport in Medellín heading to [[Miami]] in the midst of much celebration.

SAM transported mail from Medellín to Bogotá, Barrancabermeja, [[Bucaramanga]], [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]], and later began regular flights to Panama and Miami with the [[Curtiss C-46]]. However, [[Avianca]], which was the owner of several airports in the country, suspended SAM's operations due to a ten-month delay in the payment of a debt. In 1954, after the merger of Avianca and [[LANSA (Colombia)|LANSA]], SAM restarted operations and created a subsidiary called ''RAS - Rutas Aéreas SAM''. The company was advised by the Dutch airline [[KLM]] in its division in the Antilles.

===Later years===
[[File:Boeing 727-2A1-Adv, SAM Colombia (Avianca) AN2053190.jpg|thumb|A former SAM [[Boeing 727-200]] taxiing at [[Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport]] in 1994]]

In the second year of activities, SAM's wings grew and began to embrace the world of the nearest Colombian cities with flights to [[Bogotá]], Bucaramanga, [[Planeta Rica]] and [[Barranquilla]]. The airline grew quickly. Industrial and commercial activity increased to the point that in 1950s the fleet comprised 18 cargo aircraft and the destinations were now far afield. SAM's aircraft flew to and from the Caribbean and South America.

Having proved its efficiency in air transportation and establishing the routes that put an end to the isolation of Medellín and Colombia, in 1958 SAM decided to begin carrying passengers. Passenger air service began with a [[DC-3]] and a [[C-46]], and one of the early milestones was [[San Andrés (island)|San Andres]], where it was the first airline to provide service to the island.{{cn|date=June 2024}} Two years later, the first [[DC-4]] was added to the fleet with a capacity of 65 passengers, but it was in 1970 that SAM became notable for inaugurating the Jet-Prop era in Colombia. The [[Santo Domingo Group]] had provided broader capital to enable accelerated modernization and expanded market share.

With the introduction of the [[Lockheed L-188]] into service, the expansion into Central America was made possible and passenger services began to [[Nicaragua]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]] and [[Costa Rica]] with regular freight schedules that were operated to [[Miami]]. Later in 1977, SAM introduced the [[Boeing 720B]] which were transferred from Avianca, with which the Lockheed Electras were returned to [[Eastern Air Lines]]. 

Around 1990, SAM requested to resume cargo flights to the United States and the company made a request to [[Challenger Air Cargo]] to lease one of its [[Boeing 757]]s, at the same time that Avianca suspended cargo services to Miami, and sold its 747 freighters. The request was cancelled and SAM leased a [[Boeing 707-320C]] to carry out the flights to Miami. 

Starting in 1992, the company modernized its fleet with the [[Boeing 727-200]], subsequently the [[Avro RJ100]], and the [[De Havilland Canada Twin Otter]] as well. With these modern aircraft, SAM connected the most important cities of the country, as well as several regional and international destinations. However, there were problems with the RJ100 engines, which were paralyzed on the ground and the company had to use aircraft from [[Avianca]] to cover its flights, and the aircraft were returned to the manufacturer [[British Aerospace]] in March 2000, and purchased 3 [[Cessna 208 Caravan]]s. Avianca's [[Fokker 50]] and [[McDonnell Douglas MD-83]] were also assigned.

On May 20, 2002, SAM along with Avianca and [[ACES Colombia|ACES]], joined and formed the ''Alianza Summa'' to offer a more efficient service to compete in a new struggling marketplace. However, in the following year, ACES was dissolved and Avianca was purchased by the [[Synergy Group]] and change its image, for which the colors of SAM disappeared. However, SAM operated 15 exclusive [[Fokker 100]]s in the Avianca livery with a sign that read "Operated by Sam" on the fuselage. 

SAM closed its operations on October 4, 2010, when its final flight took off from [[Bogotá]] bound for [[Medellín]]. With this flight, SAM was permanently merged into Avianca.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/E/el_amigo_sam_se_fue_volando/el_amigo_sam_se_fue_volando.asp?|title=Our friend SAM flew away|website=Elcolombiano.com|date=5 October 2010 |language=Spanish|access-date=August 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://volavi.co/aviacion/noticias/sam-realizo-su-ultimo-vuelo|title=SAM realizo su ultimo vuelo|website=Volavi.co|date=4 October 2010 |language=Spanish|access-date=October 4, 2010}}</ref>

==Fleet==
===Final fleet===
[[File:Fokker-100 Avianca (4081348773).jpg|thumb|An Avianca [[Fokker 100]], operated by SAM, taking off at [[El Dorado International Airport]] in 2009]]

As of May 2010, the SAM fleet consisted of the following aircraft:<ref>[http://ch-aviation.ch/aircraft.php?search=set&airline=MM&al_op=1 SAM Colombia Fleet]</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ SAM Colombia fleet
|-
!rowspan=2|Aircraft
!rowspan=2|In<br>service
!colspan=3|Passengers
!rowspan=2|Notes
|- 
!<abbr title=Business>J</abbr>
!<abbr title=Economy>Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
|[[Fokker 100]]
|15
|8
|89
|97
|Operated in Avianca livery since 2006.
|-
!Total
!15
!colspan=4|
|}

===Former fleet===
SAM had in the past operated a variety of aircraft, including:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net/SAM%20Colombia.html|title=SAM fleet|website=aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ SAM Colombia former fleet
|-
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Avro RJ100]]
|9
|1994
|2000
|Transferred to [[Malmö Aviation]]
|-
|[[Beechcraft 65]]
|3
|1971
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Bell 206]]
|1
|1998
|1998
|
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Boeing 707-320C]]
|1
|1982
|1983
|Leased from [[Avianca]]
|-
|1
|1991
|1991
|Leased from [[Florida West International Airways|Florida West Airlines]]
|-
|[[Boeing 720B]]
|3
|1977
|1982
|Leased from [[Avianca]]
|-
|[[Boeing 727-100]]
|14
|1981
|1995
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200]]
|6
|1992
|1999
|
|-
|[[Cessna 208B Grand Caravan]]
|3
|1999
|2001
|
|-
|[[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]
|10
|1950
|1966
|
|-
|[[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
|3
|1998
|2001
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]
|16
|1946
|1959
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
|12
|1955
|1970
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-4]]
|1
|1968
|1970
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6B]]
|2
|1960
|1961
|Leased from [[KLM]]
|-
|[[Fokker 50]]
|5
|2001
|2007
|Leased from [[Avianca]]
|-
|[[Lockheed L-188A Electra]]
|8
|1969
|1977
|Leased from [[Eastern Air Lines]]
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-83]]
|3
|1999
|2007
|
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
*On March 1, 1950, a [[Douglas C-47]] (registered HK-507) took off from [[Olaya Herrera Airport]] to conduct a test flight following repairs that were carried out on engine No. 1. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot was cleared to land. Shortly afterwards, the airplane entered an area of heavy strong winds. The aircraft impacted the ground, killing the co-pilot and one of the two mechanics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19500301-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=January 12, 2014}}</ref>
*On June 13, 1951, a [[Douglas C-47]] (registered HK-504) made an emergency return to [[Olaya Herrera Airport]] and crashed after striking a chimney of a factory in the Belén suburb of Medellín. Both crew members on board were killed, including a person on the ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19510613-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref>
*On September 10, 1952, a [[Curtiss C-46]] (registered HK-513) was on a flight from [[San Andrés (island)]] to [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]], the crew encountered poor weather conditions and lost their route. The aircraft hit a mountain located in [[Guna Yala]], [[Panama]]. All 46 occupants were killed.
*On September 16, 1958, a [[Curtiss C-46]] (registered HK-514) crashed shortly after takeoff from [[Olaya Herrera Airport]] while in initial climb. The aircraft suffered an engine failure, the crew attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland where it crash landed. Both crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
*On December 8, 1959, a [[Curtiss C-46]] (registered HK-515) en route from [[San Andrés, San Andrés y Providencia|San Andrés]] to [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]], disappeared. About 8 days later, the right main gear wheel assembly was found near Moron Island. All 42 passengers and 3 crew were presumed killed.<ref>[http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1959/1959-55.htm  Accident Database], planecrashinfo.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19591208-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=November 23, 2018}}</ref>
*On March 19, 1960, SAM Flight 901, a [[Curtiss C-46]] (registered HK-516), departed [[San Andres Island]] for a flight to [[Medellín]] when engine no.1 started to have problems. The crew radioed Medellín that they were returning to [[Planeta Rica]], but the plane crashed 11&nbsp;km Northwest. 25 of the 46 occupants on board were killed and the aircraft was written off.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19600319-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref>
*On February 5, 1969, a [[Douglas C-54]] (registered HK-1065) was hijacked by an armed passenger. The aircraft was en route from [[Barranquilla]] to Cartagena, Medellín and Cali. The hijacked demanded the pilots to be flown to Cuba. None of the 47 occupants on board were injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19690205-0|title=Hijack description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref>
*On March 11, 1969, a [[Douglas C-54]] (registered HK-757) was hijacked during a domestic flight from Medellín to Barranquilla. A hijacker entered the cockpit and demanded to be flown to Cuba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19690311-1|title=Hijack description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref>
*On May 30, 1973, [[SAM Colombia Flight 601]], a [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] (registered HK-1274), flying from [[Cali]] to Medellín with a stopover in [[Pereira, Colombia|Pereira]], was diverted from its route making stops in [[Aruba]], [[Guayaquil]], [[Lima]], [[Mendoza, Peru|Mendoza]], [[Asunción]], and [[Buenos Aires]], had been hijacked by two Paraguayan former football players for economic reasons.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Di Ricco|first1=Massimo|title=Los Condenados del Aire - El viaje a la utopía de los aeropiratas del Caribe|date=2020|publisher=Icono Editorial|location=Colombia|isbn=9789585472327|url=https://www.iconoeditorial.com/product/los-condenados-del-aire/}}</ref>
*On May 19, 1993, [[SAM Colombia Flight 501]], a [[Boeing 727-100]] (registered HK-2422X), en route from [[Panama City]] to [[Medellín]], hit Mt. Paramo de Frontino at 12,300&nbsp;ft. while on approach to [[José María Córdova International Airport]]. The aircraft descended into mountainous terrain before actually reaching the [[Abejorral]] [[non-directional beacon]]. The ([[VHF omnidirectional range|VHF]]/[[distance measuring equipment|DME]]) had been sabotaged by terrorists and was not in service. All 132 passengers (including a group of [[Panamanian]] dentists and doctors on their way to a convention) were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19930519-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=October 5, 2010}}</ref>
*On August 4, 1993, a [[Boeing 727-100]] (registered HK-2421X) was damaged beyond repairs after its no. 3 engine caught on fire during maintenance work.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19930804-2|title=Incident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>

==In other areas==
SAM was the main sponsor of the [[Atlético Nacional]] football team between 1988 and 1994, the airline's logo was used on the front of their jersey during competitions of those years, including the [[1989 Copa Libertadores]].

==See also==
*[[Avianca]]
*[[List of defunct airlines of Colombia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|position=right|SAM Colombia}}
* [http://www.avianca.com Avianca]

{{Portal bar|Colombia|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of Colombia}}
{{Avianca}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sam Colombia}}
[[Category:SAM Colombia]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Colombia]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1945]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Avianca]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Colombia]]
[[Category:2010 disestablishments in Colombia]]
[[Category:Defunct companies of Colombia]]