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Coclé

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Coclecito: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1981 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
FAP-205
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Río Hato – Penonomé – Coclecito
MSN:
284
YOM:
1970
Location:
Coclecito
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Río Hato Airport at 1044LT and landed at Penonomé at 1055LT. Following a stop of 45 minutes, the airplane took off bound to the north to Coclecito. While cruising at an altitude of 3,400 feet in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. All seven occupants were killed, among them General Omar Efraín Torrijos, President of the Republic of Panama.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain while flying in low clouds and foggy conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-1-DC Skymaster on Mt Cerro Gaital: 10 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
TC-46
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Managua – Panama City
MSN:
10271
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mt Gaital
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was descending to Panama City Airport when it struck the slope of Mt Cerro Gaital located 75 km southwest of Panama City. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo near Penonomé: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
36-299
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1687
YOM:
1936
Location:
Penonomé
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances 15 km northeast of Penonomé. At least one crew was killed.
Crew:
George C. Denter.

Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo in Río Hato: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
37-10
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1871
YOM:
1937
Location:
Río Hato
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered an engine failure upon takeoff from Río Hato Airfield and crashed. At least one crew member was killed.
Crew:
Merrill F. Patrick.
Probable cause:
Engine failure upon takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo near El Valle: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
36-283
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1671
YOM:
1936
Location:
El Valle
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on a flight from Albrook Airport, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances 10 km northeast of El Valle. Four crew members were killed and three others were injured.

Crash of a Grumman OA-9 Goose in Río Hato

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
38-571
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1037
YOM:
1939
Location:
Río Hato
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot Thomas C. Darcy to attempt an emergency landing. The float plane crashed near Río Hato and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Keystone B-6 near Penonomé: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Keystone LB-6
Operator:
Registration:
30-351
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Penonomé
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Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route, an unexpected situation forced all five crewmen to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed in a prairie located some 24 km northwest of Penonomé. Three crew members were uninjured while two others were killed as their parachute failed to open.
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