Aeroperú Flight 603
Steven Meyer • Feb 03, 2024
Aeroperú Flight 603 was a tragic aviation incident that occurred on October 2, 1996. The flight was a scheduled international passenger service from Miami International Airport in the United States to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, with a stopover at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 757-23A, registration OB-1541, operated by Aeroperú, the national airline of Peru. The flight encountered a series of problems shortly after takeoff from Lima. The tragic events that followed led to the loss of all 70 people on board.
The critical issue arose due to maintenance work conducted on the aircraft. Tape used to cover the static ports, which are essential for providing accurate airspeed information to the flight instruments, was not removed before the flight. This led to a discrepancy between the airspeed measurements on the captain's and first officer's instruments.
As the aircraft climbed, the conflicting airspeed readings caused confusion in the cockpit. The crew was unable to identify the root cause of the problem and failed to follow the correct procedures to address the situation. The crew was receiving contradictory information from various instruments, leading to a breakdown in communication and decision-making.
Ultimately, the crew lost control of the aircraft, and it crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Pasamayo, Peru, just 34 minutes after takeoff from Lima. There were no survivors, and the wreckage sank to the ocean floor.
The investigation into the accident revealed a chain of errors, including inadequate maintenance procedures, incomplete communication, and a failure to adhere to established protocols. The tragedy highlighted the importance of rigorous maintenance checks, effective communication within the cockpit, and adherence to standard operating procedures in ensuring flight safety.
The Aeroperú Flight 603 disaster had a lasting impact on aviation safety, leading to increased awareness of the importance of proper maintenance procedures and the need for effective crew coordination and communication. The lessons learned from this incident contributed to ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety worldwide.
Sources: Transponder 1200, Skybrary, Simple Flying, Aviation Safety Network, Code 7700
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