Zone
Chiriquí

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL on Mt Horqueta: 22 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Aerolineas Urraca
Registration:
HP-560
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
David - Changuinola
MSN:
19242
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mt Horqueta
Chiriquí
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
En route from David to Changuinola, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Horqueta located north of Los Naranjos. Six occupants survived while 22 others were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in David

Date & Time: May 19, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-LBG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
262
YOM:
1945
Location:
David
Chiriquí
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew encountered an unexpected situation en route and was forced to divert to David Airport for an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Bellanca C-27C Airbus near San Felíx

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Bellanca P-200 Airbus (C-27A)
Operator:
Registration:
33-27
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Río Hato – David
MSN:
718
YOM:
1933
Location:
San Felíx
Chiriquí
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Río Hato to David, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. The aircraft crashed 25 km northwest of San Felíx and was destroyed. All six crew members were uninjured.

Crash of a Travel Air 6000A on Mt Trinidad: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Travel Air 6000
Operator:
Aerovias Nacionales
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Panama City – David
Location:
Mt Trinidad
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
En route from Panama City to David, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Trinidad located some 16 km north of Bejuco. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed, among them Robert Marstrand, pilot, and Juan Pino, Mayor of the city of David.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Sikorsky PS-3 in David: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Sikorsky S-38
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
David - Belize City
Location:
David
Chiriquí
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from David, the airplane went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. The radio navigator was seriously injured while three others were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries. The aircraft was en route to Belize City with a load of 600 pounds of bandages and medical supplies for the stricken Honduras section.
Crew:
Lt C. K. Langford +3.
Subscribe to David