During the instrument landing system ( ILS ) approach to runway 33 , the 747 crashed on a hill approximately 7.5 miles south east of the airport , killing 181 people , including 19 on-duty and four off-duty crew members . The 11 surviving passengers were seriously injured . The cause of the accident was judged to be pilot error , having incorrectly determined the position of the plane . As of 2019 , Avianca Flight 011 remains the second-deadliest aviation accident in Spanish territory behind the Tenerife airport disaster . and the worst accident in the history of Avianca
Tenerife airport disaster
Tenerife airport disaster
Avianca Flight 011