Crash of a Boeing 707-321B off Caracas: 51 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 12, 1968 at 2202 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N494PA
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New York - Caracas
MSN:
19696
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
PA217
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
51
Captain / Total hours on type:
6737.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from New York-JFK, the crew started a night approach to Maiquetía-Simon Bolivar Airport in Caracas. On final, the airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the sea 18,4 km north offshore. Few debris were found floating on water and all 51 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew suffered an optical illusion, confounding the lights of the city of Maiquetía with the airport lights. This probably engaged the crew in a premature descent, causing the aircraft to crash into the sea. The lack of visibility was a probable contributing factor.
