Illegal (smuggling) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was found crashed in shallow water near Key Largo, FL. Attempts to locate the pilot or current operator were fruitless. The circumstances surrounding the crash and the cause are unknown.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
2. (f) flt with inadequate en route/destination facilities - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
3. (f) terrain condition - water, glassy

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off Cabo Rojo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

Registration:

N37490

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

31-7752030

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing an illegal flight from Santa Marta to Cat Island, Bahamas, carrying two pilots and a load of 500 kilos of cocaine. After entering illegally the Dominican Republic Airspace, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Dominican Air Force A-37 and crashed in the sea off Cabo Rojo. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Dominican Air Force A-37 during an illegal flight.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II off Playa Hermosa

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1986 at 1230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 404 Titan

Operator:

Registration:

HK-2756P

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Tuluá – Oaxaca

MSN:

404-0663

YOM:

1980

Location:

Playa Hermosa

Guanacaste (North Pacific)

Country:

Costa Rica

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Tuluá-Heriberto Gil Martinez Airport on 16 November at 2130LT on an illegal flight to Oaxaca, Mexico, carrying four people and a load consisting of bags of cocaine for a total weight estimated between 250 and 500 kilos. A fuel stop was completed somewhere en route and arriving in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, the crew was supposed to jettison the bags when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea. The wreckage was found the next morning about 50 meters offshore. All four occupants were later captured.

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air in Mexico

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N551TR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

MSN:

BB-1033

YOM:

1982

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Stolen at Tomball Airport, Texas, then crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in North Mexico while engaged in an illegal mission. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Florida City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

James W. Cooper

Registration:

N49984

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

31-7552074

YOM:

1975

Location:

Florida City

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft touched down on the top of a flood control dike approx 12 feet wide. The aircraft continued for about 1,336 feet before the left wheel slid off the dike where the dike makes a slight curve to the right. The left gear was torn from the aircraft as it left the dike. The left wing struck some heavy brush which rotated the aircraft 180°. The nose gear was torn from the aircraft and the right gear collapsed during the crash sequence. An exam of the aircraft revealed all cabin seats had been removed and the aircraft was gutted by fire. The aircraft's fuel caps were located on the ground next to the aircraft. An unidentified body was found about 835 feet north of the aircraft. No one has claimed ownership of the aircraft and the address of the registered owner is non-existent. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (c) planning/decision - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
----------
Occurrence #3: nose gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Moore Haven: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

John Jeffers

Registration:

N7EA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

31-117

YOM:

1968

Location:

Moore Haven

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On February 17, 1986 the wreckage of N7EA along with the skeletal remains of two persons were found. The aircraft crashed into trees causing the separation of the outboard six feet of left wing and then continued crashing through more trees before colliding with the ground. The aircraft caught fire during the impact sequence and was completely destroyed by post crash fire. Fuel fittings and pumps used in aircraft fuel systems were found in the cabin area of the wreckage. Also the closure mechanisms for several military type duffle bags were found and only two seats were installed in the cockpit. Examination of the engines revealed both to be operable at the time of the accident. The date and time of the accident could not be determined. The origin and destination of the flight could also not be determined. The aircraft was last seen at the Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport on 2/3/86.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) object - tree(s)
2. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
4. Terrain condition - high vegetation

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Venado-Isana: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

Interamericana de Aviacion

Registration:

HK-1795

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bogotá – Caranacoa

MSN:

31-7652099

YOM:

1976

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport on a flight to Caranacoa, carrying one passenger and two pilots. Apparently for illegal reasons, the airplane landed in Venado-Isana where six FARC rebels planed. The aircraft crashed after takeoff in unknown circumstances, killing all nine occupants. The wreckage was found mid March 1986.

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Arizona

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I

Operator:

Kirk E. Molhook

Registration:

N720X

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Desert

MSN:

YOM:

1961

Location:

Arizona

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the desert somewhere in Arizona while engaged in an illegal flight. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader near Pueblo Rico: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 303 Crusader

Operator:

Registration:

HK-2961P

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

303-00161

YOM:

1982

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of Mt La Linea located in the region of Pueblo Rico. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. They were engaged in an drug smuggling flight.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.