Preliminary information
On January 7, 2013, about 2002 universal coordinated time (1502 local time), a Boeing-Vertol 234, N241CH, operated by Columbia Helicopters Peru, S.A.C., was destroyed during an inflight breakup and subsequent impact with terrain near Pucallpa, Peru. The U.S. commercial-rated pilot, Peruvian private-rated co-pilot, and five additional company employees of both U.S. and Peruvian nationality were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The sling-load positioning flight had departed FAP Captain David Abenzur Rengifo Interbnational Airport (SPCL), Pucallpa, Peru, about 5 minutes earlier, en route to Cadet FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (SPST), Tarapoto, Peru, and was operating under Peruvian flight regulations.
The investigation is under the direction of the Republic of Peru.
For further information contact:
Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes de Aviacion (CIAA)
Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil
Avenida Jiron Zorritos 1203
Lima 1 Peru Central: 6157800
Tel: ( 511 ) 315 - 7800
http://www.mtc.gob.pe/portal/transportes/aereo/ciaa/ciaa.htm
This report is for informational purposes, and only contains information released by the Republic of Peru.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13RA106 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 7, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pucallpa, Peru, PE
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 7
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
234
- N-number
- N241CH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Non-US, commercial
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.