Crash of a Embraer EMB-820C Navajo in Ricaurte: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 2015 at 0040 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PT-RCN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
820-121
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew took off from a small airfield located in the suburb of Manaus at the end of the day with a load of 616 small packages containing cocaine. After entering the Venezuelan Airspace without clearance, the crew was contacted twice by ATC but failed to answer. Authorities decided to send two fighters to establish a visual and radio contact with the crew but without success as, due to the low visibility caused by night and poor weather conditions, the crew of the Navajo was able to continue the flight without further problem. Nevertheless, three hours later, the twin engine aircraft was again localized passing over the State of Cojedes, and the decision was taken to shoot it down. Out of control, the Navajo crashed in a pasture located in the region of Ricaurte, and was totally destroyed by impact forces. Both pilots were killed and a load of narcotics was found. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was illegally registered YV1246 as a sticker has been affixed above the official Brazilian registration PT-RCN.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of a Venezuelan Air Force fighter.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Maracaibo

Date & Time: Apr 25, 2015 at 1710 LT
Registration:
YV2803
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Caracas – Maracaibo
MSN:
BB-506
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the twin engine aircraft landed hard. Impact caused the tail to separate. The aircraft lost its undercarriage then slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed. It seems the aircraft suffered an engine failure shortly before landing.

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II near Cañaote: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 2015
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-KGS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
441-0232
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Cañaote, State of Cojedes. The wreckage was found the following morning. The aircraft was destroyed, all three occupants were killed and a load of 999 kilos of cocaine was found among the debris.

Crash of a Britten Norman BN-2A-8 Islander in Los Roques

Date & Time: Jan 16, 2015
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV2238
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Higuerote - Los Roques
MSN:
296
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard on runway 07 at Los Roques Airport. Upon impact, the right main gear collapsed and punctured the right wing. Out of control, the twin engine aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest near the runway shoulder. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Partenavia P.68C-TC in La Bonanza: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 2014
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV1706
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Valencia – Charallave
MSN:
242-07-TC
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot Amílcar Suárez, sole on board, was killed when the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located near La Bonanza. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. It was en route from Valencia to Charallave.

Crash of a Rockwell 690C Jetprop 840 off Los Roques

Date & Time: Oct 10, 2014 at 1000 LT
Operator:
Registration:
YV1315
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Los Roques - Charallave
MSN:
690-11618
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was performing a private flight from the island of Los Roques to Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga Airport. Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a lagoon, few metres off shore. All seven occupants evacuated and were slightly injured while the aircraft broke in two in shallow water.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Casigua El Cubo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2014
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV1537
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anaco – Santa Bárbara del Zulia
MSN:
LW-309
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Anaco to Santa Bárbara del Zulia, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances by a wooded area located near Casigua El Cubo. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed. It is believed that the aircraft was engaged in an illegal contraband flight.

Crash of a Beechcraft 90 King Air in the State of Apure

Date & Time: Mar 3, 2014
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing an illegal flight with narcotics on board and entered illegally the Venezuelan airspace. The crew was forced to land in an open field by Venezuela Army Forces and the aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. While the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire, the fate of both occupants remains unknown.

Crash of a Learjet 60 in Valencia: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2013 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N119FD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Charallave – Valencia
MSN:
60-029
YOM:
1994
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Valencia-Arturo Michelana Airport in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft crashed in a residential area some 2,055 metres short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire and both pilots were killed. A building, several houses and cars were also damaged by fire.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 off Los Roques: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 4, 2013 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV2615
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Los Roques - Caracas
MSN:
20
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Los Roques Island Airport Runway 07 at 1132LT on a charter flight to Caracas, carrying four passengers and two pilots. During initial climb, the crew was cleared to climb to 6,500 feet. Seven minutes later, the crew informed ATC he was climbing to 5,000 feet and reported his position some 10 NM from Gran Roque VOR. While cruising at 5,400 feet at a speed of 120 knots, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea. SAR operations did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants and all operations were abandoned after one week. The Italian couturier Vittorio Missoni was among the passenger. In June 2013, some debris were localized at a depth of 75 meters and five bodies were found on 17OCT2013. Eventually, the wreckage was recovered on 25NOV2013.