Country
Costa Rica
code

Alajuela (Center-North)

Crash of a Douglas R4D-4 on Mt Arenal: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1961 at 0625 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
TI-1006C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San José – Upala
MSN:
4960
YOM:
1942
Location:
Mt Arenal
Alajuela (Center-North)
Country:
Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
12950
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2300
Aircraft flight hours:
30385
Circumstances:
The crew departed San José Airport in the early morning on a cargo flight to Upala. About 20 minutes after takeoff, while cruising at an altitude of 4,700 feet in clouds, the airplane struck the slope of the Arenal volcano. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the airplane was slightly off course at the time of the accident due to a northeast wind. The crew was unable to distinguish the mountain that was shrouded in clouds (stratus). Also, the crew started the descent to Upala a bit too early, which was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Ciudad Quesada: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San José - San José
Location:
Ciudad Quesada
Alajuela (Center-North)
Country:
Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane departed La Sabana Airport on a patrol flight over the north part of the country on behalf of the Government of Costa Rica. En route, the crew encountered engine problems and the airplane crashed south of Ciudad Quesada. All nine occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sherman Wilson, pilot,
Juan Bautista Montero, copilot.
Passengers:
Alfredo Chamorro,
Jorge Saurez,
Arquimedes Alvarez,
Ramon Muñoz,
Antonio Carmona,
Alejo Poveda,
Victor-Manuel Chacon.

Crash of a Travel Air 6000 on Mt Paraíso de Marsella: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Travel Air 6000
Operator:
Registration:
TI-45
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Marina - San José
Location:
Mt Paraíso de Marsella
Alajuela (Center-North)
Country:
Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed La Marina (region of San Carlos) on a flight to San José-La Sabana Airport. On board were four passengers and one pilot. While cruising over a mountain area, weather conditions deteriorated. In poor visibility due to low clouds and rain, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Paraíso de Marsella. Three passengers and the pilot were killed while an American passenger was injured. He walked away for few days before finding help.
Crew:
Pablo Balbuena.
Passengers:
Rufino Quesada Hidalgo +3.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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