This ATC translation covers the last 6 minutes prior to crash. It comes off the screen of Youtube ATC recording posted by VAS Aviation and there seems no reason to doubt its authenticity. It illustrates the complexity of the situation facing the Medellin Approach Controller LMI 2933 and other aircraft in the vicinity. The Approach and Aircraft R/T continues without a break for all of the 6 minutes. To say the Approach Controller is to be commended is an understatement.
00:00 LMI 2933: FL210 inbound and we request priority for the approach. right now we have a fuel problem
Approach: LMI 2933 understand you request priority to land with fuel problems as well? correct?
2933: Affirmative
Approach: OK be advised I'll give you vectors for the localizer and for the approach. It'll be in approximately 7 minutes
2933: for vectors LMI 2933
Approach: Lan Colombia 3020 cleared for ILS Z approach runway 01 QNH 30.27 report established on localizer
3020: Cleared for the approach Lan Colombia 3020 we'll call established
Approach: LMI 2933 say heading
2933: 1...179 outbound leg
Approach: maintain present heading and wait to start - continue descent
2933: maintain present heading and we're visual with the ground
AV 9771: Medellin Approach, Avianca 9771, is it possible to continue our outbound leg for 5 more miles until 15 DME?
Approach: Negative Captain I need you to do the inbound leg. The aircraft ahead is 1 mile. I need to start the descent for that traffic. He requested priority to land
9771: Roger we start the inbound leg, Avianca 9771
Approach: Yes please, thanks
2933: Requesting vectors for inbound leg ma'am
Approach: Standby I have a traffic just below doing the approach and also they are doing a runway inspection. How much time do you have for a landing LMI?
2933: We are with emergency fuel ma'am. We're established on final approach course. request immediate descent, LMI 2933
Approach: Lan Colombia 3020, cancel approach clearance. Turn left heading 100 now
3020: left turn heading 010 (?)and what altitude?
Approach: Maintain 13000 feet
3020: 13000 Lan Colombia 3020
Approach: LMI 2933 you can just turn right now to start your descent. You have traffic 1 mile and below
2933: Traffic in sight, no factor(?) and we request to join the localizer for once (?)
( another voice in cockpit: Gear Down)
Approach: Captain you are at FL 210. I need you to descend. You'd have to turn right to start your descent
2933: Negative ma'am we've started the descent and we're going to the localizer
Approach: Avianca 9771 turn immediately left heading 270
9771: Turning left heading 270. Avianca 9771, confirm the other traffic has already declared?
Approach: Lan Colombia 3020 maintain heading 090
3020: 090 Lan Colombia 3020
Approach: Avianca 9356, immediately turn left 290
9356: left turn 290 Avianca 9356
Approach: LMI 2933 you have traffic ahead, 18000 feet, A320
LMI 2933: We have it on TCAS and just above. ma'am we're on final course
Approach: That aircraft is at 18000 feet Captain. it is leaving just off to your left and another traffic - alright,(?) left 18500 feet
2933: In sight and we're at 18000 feet, 2933
Lan 3020: Lan Colombia 3020, how longer should we keep this heading?
Approach: Stand By , LMI 2933, 17700 feet, continue the approach, wet runway, let us know if you require any assistance
2933: we will for the assistance and we're through 16000 feet for the localizer
Approach: Set QNH 30.27
2933: 30.27
Lan 3020: Request right turn Lan Colombia 3020 due to bad weather
Approach: You're cleared Lan Colombia 3020, right turn... heading 200 is OK?
3020: Heading 200, we start the turn and let you know
LMI 2933 Ma'am LMI 2933 is with total failure, total electric and fuel
Approach: Runway is clear, LMI 2933 and fire services are rolled
2933: Copied, LMI 2933... vectors vectors ma'am vectors to the runway
Approach: We lost radar signal. I can't see you. say heading now
2933: We're heading 360
Approach: With heading(?), turn left 010 to the localizer, Rionegro VOR- a mile ahead the VOR. Right now you are- correct, I confirm- left turn 350
2933: Left 350
Approach: Yes correct, you're 0.1 miles from Rionegro VOR
Approach: I can't see your altitude, LMI
2933: 9000 feet ma'am
2933: vectors vectors
Approach: You're 8.2 miles from the runway
Approach: What's your altitude now?
06:15 Approach: LMI 2933, say your position
No reply.