Cobán | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Crashed in unknown circumstances in bushes near Cobán, Guatemala, while engaged in an illegal flight. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and no one was found on the scene. The registration seems to be false.

Crash of a Quest Kodiak 100 in Guatemala City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 2020 at 1233 LT

Type of aircraft:

Quest Kodiak 100

Operator:

Cachapoyas Investment

Registration:

TG-SMT

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Humanitarian

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Guatemala City – Cobán

MSN:

100-0080

YOM:

2012

Location:

Guatemala City-La Aurora

Guatemala

Country:

Guatemala

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10214

Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in an humanitarian flight from Guatemala City to Cobán, carrying one pilot, one passenger and a load consisting of food and essential products. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora runway 02, while in initial climb, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent, impacted trees and high tension wires before crashing in the 4th Avenue located in the Zone 9 district, approximately 980 metres from the end of runway 02. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The following contributing factors were identified:
- The demand for food and the population's urgent need for aid likely led the crew to make the erroneous decision to increase the load and materials for transport.
- The aircraft exceeded the permissible flight load capacity, 8,055 lbs instead 7,255 lbs.
- The probable shift of the cargo toward the rear of the aircraft negatively affected the center of gravity, disrupting the minimum weight and balance requirements, which prevented the aircraft from climbing and maintaining proper flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Cobán: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1996 at 0656 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Avcom - Aviones Comerciales de Guatemala

Registration:

TG-JAK

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Guatemala City – Cobán

MSN:

714

YOM:

1980

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

5644

Circumstances:

The approach to Cobán Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to fog. Too low, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 7,2 km short of runway. Both pilots were killed. They were completing a positioning flight from Guatemala City.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the descent below the MDA in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S near Cobán: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Operator:

Registration:

TG-JOT

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was returning to his base at Guatemala City after he drop off passengers somewhere in Yucatán, Mexico. The twin engine was flying with a second aircraft from the same operator, a Piper PA-23 Aztec registered TG-HIZ. In unknown circumstances, both aircraft collided in flight and crashed in the region of Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Both aircraft were destroyed and both pilots were killed.