Avianca Flight 52 – Fuel Exhaustion Crash
Date of Incident: January 25, 1990
Location: Cove Neck, Long Island, New York, USA
🧭 What Happened
Flight AV052 was a scheduled international service from Bogotá to New York via Medellín. After multiple holding patterns near JFK due to poor weather and traffic congestion, the Boeing 707 ran out of fuel and crashed into a wooded hillside in Cove Neck. Of the 158 onboard, 73 were killed. The crash was attributed to fuel exhaustion and miscommunication with air traffic control.
✈️ Aircraft Details
Flight Number: AV052
Aircraft Type: Boeing 707-321B
Registration: HK-2016
Departure: El Dorado International (BOG)
Stopover: José María Córdova International (MDE)
Destination: JFK International (JFK)
Fatalities: 73
Survivors: 85
🔍 Key Factors
The crew failed to declare a formal fuel emergency, using the term “priority” instead. Controllers did not recognize the urgency, and the aircraft was held for over an hour. A missed approach at JFK further depleted fuel reserves. All four engines flamed out before a second landing attempt could be made.
📆 Timeline of Events
- 18:08 UTC – Departure from Medellín
- 00:04 UTC – First holding pattern over Norfolk
- 00:43 UTC – Second hold near Atlantic City
- 01:18 UTC – Third hold at CAMRN intersection
- 01:23 UTC – Missed approach at JFK
- 01:32 UTC – All four engines flame out
- 01:34 UTC – Aircraft crashes in Cove Neck
🎙️ Cockpit Voice & Flight Data
“We’re running out of fuel, sir.” — First Officer
“We just lost two engines… we need priority please.” — Final transmission
The CVR captured confusion over fuel status and lack of assertive emergency declaration. The FDR was inoperative. The CVR was recovered and analyzed by the NTSB.
⚙️ Aircraft Systems & Failures
- Fuel exhaustion due to extended holding
- Failure to declare emergency using standard terminology
- Autopilot disabled due to prior maintenance issues
- Manual approach in poor weather conditions
🛡️ Aftermath and Reforms
- NTSB Final Report cited crew error and ATC miscommunication
- FAA revised fuel emergency terminology protocols
- CRM and dispatch coordination training mandated
- Memorials established in Cove Neck and Colombia