This is the terrifying moment a plane was seen plunging down an embankment and smashing onto a busy road after overshooting the runway.
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX failed to stop on landing and went off the northern end of the strip.
The plane, said to be carrying valuables, fell several metres, hit a lamp post, and came to a halt on the street below with its nose smashed.
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Both people on board were treated at the scene, and the civil aviation authority said their condition was stable.
Cuenca police chief Pablo Inga said the Cuencana Airlines aircraft had been carrying valuables on an air-taxi contract.
The Central Bank of Ecuador said it had hired the plane for the run, that the crew were “safe”, and that the consignment remained intact, secured and in custody.
The plane was a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, registration HC-CYM, built in 2020.
It was landing on Runway 06 at Mariscal Lamar International Airport in Cuenca, Ecuador, after a flight from José Joaquín de Olmedo airport in Guayaquil.
The impact was logged at about midday on Thursday (8 Oct).
Tracking data showed a ground speed of about 92 knots, roughly 106mph, when the aircraft was still about 1,706ft (520m) from the end of the runway.
The wreck came to rest on Hurtado de Mendoza Avenue and was still there on Thursday night.
The city emergency committee ordered the road shut until Sunday so the plane could be dismantled and lifted clear.
Firefighters were draining the fuel while investigators from the civil-aviation accident board were due to inspect the scene.
The authorities told people to stay away from the area, saying the closure would allow the safe dismantling and removal of the aircraft.
The runway itself was not damaged, and the airport was operating again by late afternoon, as reported by Need To Know.
Travellers were told to use side roads and allow extra time.
The bank called it an emergency landing and said the cause would be settled by the investigation.
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