Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-5-LO LodeStar in Medellin: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YS-28
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Medellin – San José
MSN:
18-2450
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Medellin Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Cerro del Padre Amaya located 12 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 8 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DL near Tilarán: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1946
Operator:
Registration:
NC88876
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kingston – San José
MSN:
9249
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While overflying the center of Costa Rica, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the region of Tilarán. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 7 occupants was found. On November 29, 1947, walkers found the wreckage in an isolated area of the Guanacaste Province.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in San José: 23 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1946 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
RX-76
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Puerto Limón – San José
MSN:
20590
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
On final approach to San José Airport, the aircraft was too low and hit the slope of a hill few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all 23 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in San José

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1946
Operator:
Registration:
41-7770
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4257
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off San Jose: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45266
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
45266
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, an engine caught fire and exploded. The seaplane lost height and crashed on the reef off San Jose, in the Mangarin Bay. Quickly on the scene, crew from the USS Half Moon Bay and USS San Pablo were able to evacuated eight injured crew while two others were killed. The aircraft was registered 45266 (VPB-28).
Probable cause:
Explosion on one engine shortly after take off.

Crash of a Travel Air 6000 in the Cerro Las Vueltas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TI-3
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San José – San Isidro de El General
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane impacted trees and crashed in an isolated area located in the Cerro Las Vueltas while completing a flight from San José to San Isidro de El General. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants was found. The wreckage was found in 1941.

Crash of a Loening C2-C Air Yacht in San José

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9713
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San José - Panama City
MSN:
214
YOM:
1928
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a survey mission over the Canal zone in Panama and departed San José Airport with two passengers and two crew members, a mechanic and a pilot. As the aircraft was too heavy, one passenger was asked to leave and part of the mail was offloaded as well. On the second attempt to takeoff, the airplane lifted off but was caught by downdrafts, struck trees and crashed. All four occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Caught by downdrafts during takeoff.