Aeroperlas | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, while climbing, the crew encountered technical problem with the engine and declared an emergency. He realized he could not return to his departure point so he attempted an emergency landing on a road when the aircraft struck a tree and crashed 9 km weat of the airport. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan on Mt Arenal: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2000 at 1210 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Operator:

Registration:

HP-1357APP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

San Juan – La Fortuna – Tamarindo

MSN:

208-0709

YOM:

1998

Flight number:

RZ1644

Location:

Mt Arenal

Alajuela (Center-North)

Country:

Costa Rica

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2354

Copilot / Total flying hours:

350

Aircraft flight hours:

792

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane departed San Juan Airport at 1138LT on a flight to Tamarindo with an intermediate stop in La Fortuna on behalf of SANSA - Servicios Aéreos Nacionales. At La Fortuna Airport, a Japanese tourist was drop off and the aircraft took off at 1205LT. About five minutes after takeoff, while cruising in IMC conditions at an altitude of 5,380 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of the Arenal Volcano. The wreckage was found about 200 metres below the summit and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Karl Acevedo Neverman, pilot,
William Badilla Salazar, copilot.
Passengers:
Terry Pratt,
Silvia Rhissiner,
Catherine Shoep,
Steven Bohmer,
Helena Gutierrez-Bohmer,
Frank Consolazio,
Yudi Consolazio,
Cristopher Damia.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued under VFR mode in IMC conditions. The following findings were identified:
- The pilot's unsafe flying and failure to maintain adequate separation (vertical and horizontal) with mountainous terrain and not remain in VMC. Moreover, lack of timely corrective action by the crew allowed the aircraft to fly in a controlled manner and unnoticed into the ground.
- Loss of situational awareness and attention from the crew.
- Inadequate monitoring and enforcement by the pilot not flying.
- Lack of application or adherence to standard operating procedures established by SANSA.
- Using flight procedures not written or approved.
- Lack of culture regarding operational safety.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Carreto: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 2000 at 0930 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Registration:

HP-1267APP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Panama City - Puerto Obaldía

MSN:

624

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While descending at an altitude of 7,500 feet in relative good weather conditions, the crew informed ATC about their position when contact was lost. The wreckage was found five days later at the altitude of 762 metres on the slope of a mountain (850 metres high) located near Carreto, about 22 km northwest pf Puerto Obaldía Airport. All 10 occupants were killed. The crew was descending under VFR mode when the accident occurred for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 off Contadora Island: 20 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1990

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Registration:

N187SA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Panama City – Contadora – San Miguel

MSN:

131

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Contadora Island Airport, while climbing, the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. Some birds struck the right engine that failed. The aircraft lost speed then rolled to the right and crashed in the sea some 1,500 meters offshore. Two passengers were rescued while 20 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine and subsequent loss of control during initial climb following a bird strike.