Nueva Esparta | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed Porlamar-Del Caribe-General en Jefe Santiago Mariño Airport on a ferry flight to Caracas-Oscar Machado Zuloaga Airport. After takeoff, while climbing, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest, bursting into flames. Both pilots were seriously injured and suffered burns. The aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Gulfstream GIII off Punta Arenas: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2017 at 1343 LT

Type of aircraft:

Gulfstream GIII

Operator:

Servicio Autónomo de Transporte Aéreo - SATA

Registration:

YV2896

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Maiquetía – Porlamar

MSN:

469

YOM:

1986

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While approaching the Island of Margarita, en route from Maiquetía-Simon Bolivar Airport to Porlamar, the crew encountered control difficulties and informed ATC about hydraulic problems. The crew initiated a rapid descent to 3,000 feet apparently to ditch the aircraft when it went out of control and crashed in the sea about 16 km west off Punta Arenas. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and only few debris were found floating on water. All nine occupants were killed, among them officers flying on behalf of the Vice-Presidency of the Venezuelan Government.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15 off Margarita Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1993

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

YV-03C

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Caracas - Caracas

MSN:

47000

YOM:

1967

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The aircraft departed Caracas-Maiquetía-Simon Bolivar on a post maintenance test flight, carrying eight engineers and technicians and three crew members. Twenty-eight minutes into the flight, the crew started the test program when nine minutes later, the pilot was able to send a brief mayday message but its content remains unclear. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea 16 km off Margarita Island. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and few debris were found floating on water while the majority of the aircraft sank to a significant depth and was not recovered.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Vickers 749 Viscount in Porlamar: 48 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1974 at 0920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Viscount

Operator:

Registration:

YV-C-AMX

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Caracas - Porlamar

MSN:

YOM:

1956

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While descending to Porlamar-Del Caribe-General en Jefe Santiago Mariño Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility and heavy rain falls. In accordance with ATC, the crew decided to divert to Cumaná Airport and while completing a turn to change heading, the four engine airplane struck the peak La Gloria located about 10 km northeast of Porlamar Airport. The wreckage was found eight meters below the summit and the copilot, seriously injured, was evacuated to an hospital in Caracas while 47 other occupants were killed. 17 days later, the copilot Ivan Rodolfo Magallanes died from his injuries.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the crew may have lost his orientation during the few seconds preceding impact with the ground, maybe following a malfunction of several instruments whose parameters were probably badly influenced by static electricity accumulated in the stormy weather. At the time of the accident, hurricane 'Alma' was approximately 100 km east of Margarita Island.

Crash of a Fairchild F27A in Porlamar: 23 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild F27

Operator:

Registration:

YV-C-EVH

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Porlamar – Cumaná

MSN:

YOM:

1958

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Few minutes after takeoff from Porlamar Airport, while climbing, the airplane struck the slope of Mt San Juan located few km from the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 23 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

For unknown reason, the crew did not follow the published procedures for Porlamar Airport departure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner off Porlamar: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1944 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin PBM Mariner

Operator:

Registration:

01726

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

3284

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While cruising at a height of some 200 feet, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew lost control of the aircraft that plunged into the sea few km off shore. All eight occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.