Quest KODIAK accident near Moretecocha, Ec, March 28, 2017
On March 28, 2017 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Quest KODIAK, registered HCCPR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Moretecocha (Moretecocha Airstrip airport). 6 people were seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 28, 2017 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Moretecocha, Ecuador · Moretecocha Airstrip
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 6 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Quest KODIAK 100
- Registration
- HCCPR · no longer on the register · serial 100-0116
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 28, 2017, at 1600 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Quest Kodiak 100, Ecuadorian registration HC-CRF, operated by Alas De Socorro, received substantial damage following a collision with trees and terrain during takeoff at Moretecocha Airstrip, Moretecocha, Pastaza, Ecuador. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Rio Amazonas Airport, Shell, Pastaza, Equador. The pilot and five passengers were seriously injured.The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Ecuador. Further informationcan be obtained from: Junta Investigadora de Accidentes Dirección General de Aviación Civil Seguridad de Vuelo Av. Colón E5-56 y Rábida Quito, Ecuador Tel.: (593) 2-223-8981 (593) 2-330-1497 (24 hours) This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Ecuador.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney Canada PT6A-34 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NA Moretecocha
- Destination: SESM Shell
- Runway 15
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.