Country
Guatemala
code

Petén

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Tikal: 24 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Erwin Ortiz
Registration:
TG-HTM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tikal - Guatemala City
MSN:
2582
YOM:
1943
Location:
Tikal
Petén
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Tikal Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed on the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 24 occupants were killed, among them 21 Americans returning to Guatemala City.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident was not determined. However, the assumption that control was lost following an in-flight fire was not ruled out.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Flores: 30 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1951 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
0961
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Flores – Guatemala City
Location:
Flores-Mundo Maya (Santa Elena)
Petén
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
30
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Flores Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 2 km from the airport. All five crew members and 25 passengers were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew:
Maj Enrique Pérez, pilot,
José Angel Escobar,
Miguel Deleón,
Casiano Castañeda,
Enrique Menéndez.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the loss of control was consecutive to a in-flight fire in the cabin caused by a cigarette that was not properly extinguished.

Crash of a Boeing B-17B Flying Fortress in San José

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
38-220
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2013
YOM:
1938
Location:
San José
Petén
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An engine caught fire in flight, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crashed in San José and came to rest, bursting into flames. There were no casualties among the crew and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Crew:
George H. Blas.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight.
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