2016 Ecuadorian Army Arava crash

On 15 March 2016, an IAI Arava transport aircraft of the Ecuadorian Army crashed in the eastern part of the country. The accident is the deadliest involving an IAI Arava, and the single deadliest incident suffered by the Ecuadorian military.

Accident
The Arava plane took off from the Río Amazonas military airport in Shell Mera in Pastaza Province at 12:51 local time. It was carrying 19 Ecuadorian paratroopers belonging to the 9th Special Forces ('Patria') Brigade, for a skydiving exercise; as well as 3 crew members (2 pilots and a mechanic). The pilot had reportedly asked for permission to return to the airport due to adverse weather conditions shortly before contact was lost with the aircraft. The aircraft crashed at 14:30 local time in a mountainous area, killing all 22 on board.

Two Ecuadorian Air Force helicopters and ground patrols were dispatched to search for the missing plane, and the flight debris was located near the Fátima peak of Hacienda La Palmira.

Reactions
Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa described the accident as a "tragedy" to the armed forces.