Crash of a Douglas DC-6 near San Carlos: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Swan Island - Swan Island
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Swan Island Airport (Islas del Cisne) off Honduras on a supply mission to the Contras rebels in Nicaragua. It was carrying a load of weapons, ammunition, clothing and food as well as 10 people. After 11 pallets were dropped, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile that struck one of the right engine. The aircraft continued for about 30 km when it was shot down by a second surface-to-air missile and crashed four minutes later. One occupant was injured while nine others were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by two surface-to-air missiles.

Crash of a Casa 212-A7 Aviocar 100 in Nicaragua: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
222
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
80
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in the north part of Nicaragua. All 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider near San Carlos: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HPF821
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20128
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed San Salvador-Ilopango Airport and was dispatched over Nicaragua to deliver military supply to the Contras on behalf of a US program. On board were 70 AK-47 rifles, about 100,000 ammunition, rockets and grenades. Approaching San Carlos after flying along the coast, the crew descended to an altitude of 2,500 feet and was preparing to jettison the cargo when the aircraft was shot downy by a surface-to-air SAM-7 missile from the Sandinista forces. The aircraft lost height and crashed. Three crew members were killed while the fourth was able to parachute to safety. He was later captured by the Sandinista National Liberation Front.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air SAM-7 missile.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Rosita: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1986
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Rosita. Both pilots were killed. It is possible that the aircraft may have been shot down.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Jinotega: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1984
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Catacamas - Catacamas
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Catacamas-El Aguacate Airport on a 'survey' flight over Nicaragua. While flying at low height, it was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM-7) fired by soldiers from the Sandinista Popular Army. The aircraft crashed, killing all eight occupants.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Rio Blanco: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1983 at 0900 LT
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
El Aguacate - El Aguacate
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
A U.S.-registered Douglas C-47 transport plane was engaged in a military operation to supply a right-wing rebel group that was fighting Nicaragua's revolutionary Sandinista government. The aircraft flew at a low altitude in the area of Wanawás to drop supplies. While manoeuvering in the area, a soldier of the Sandinista Popular Army fired a portable Strela-2M missile (also known as SA-7). The missile hit the left hand engine but did not explode. The cabin filled with smoke, forcing the pilot to carry out a forced landing. The crew initially survived but the co-pilot died of his injuries on 26 October 1983.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 200 in Managua

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YN-BYZ
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
298
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport, the copilot mistakenly activated the reversers. The airplane lost height and landed hard, causing irreparable damages. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Managua: 20 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1982 at 0845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
223
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
006
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport runay 10, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked left and crashed 150 meters to the left of the runway. Two passengers were seriously injured while 20 other occupants were killed, among them the Nicaraguan Deputy Minister for Development. The airplane was outbound to the north with military and medical staff on board whose mission was to transport a load of medicines.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after the left engine failed for unknown reasons.