Casa 212 Aviocar

The airplane crashed on approach 3/4 mile southwest of the airport. A witness heard sound he associated with props going into reverse, then observed airplane emerge from clouds in a nose-low attitude. CVR tape revealed sound of an abrupt change in frequency and amplitude 10 seconds prior to impact. Exam of the left engine beta indicator lamp revealed heavy oxide deposit and stretched coils indicative of the lamp being illuminated at impact; right engine beta lamp was destroyed. Power levers and (beta mode) trigger locks operated normally; trigger return springs intact. Flight idle stops showed no evidence of excessive wear or deformation. The power lever (beta) blocking device lockout solenoid was tested electrically and functioned normally. The rigging of the beta lockout device could not be checked due to impact damage. The operator conducted a funct test of the electrical or backup beta blocking devices on the remaining 8 Casa 212 airplanes; 3 were found to be inoperative. Neither the manufacturing nor operator had an inspection or funct test requirement for the blocking devices. All five occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Torrejón AFB, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency following an in-flight fire. The crew was able to make an emergency landing. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

While parked at Bellavista-Huallaga Airport, the crew was stopped by seven local police officers who suspected narcotic traffic. In a certain confusion, the crew ignored the police instructions and elected to takeoff. Shortly after rotation, while climbing to a height of 20 meters, the aircraft was hit by several bullets shot by the policemen. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed by the runway. All 15 occupants were killed. It was later determined that the captain was killed instantly while the copilot died one hour after the accident as five bullets were found in his body.

The crew departed Salamanca-Matacán AFB at 1140LT on a training flight. The aircraft was supposed to complete a circular flight over Ávila and Béjar then back to Matacán. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Pinofranqueado, about 100 km southwest of Salamanca-Matacán AFB. The wreckage was found 11 days later, on March 17, in a canyon at an altitude of 1,200 meters. All five crew members were killed.

The approach to Gorontalo-Jalaluddin Airport was initiated in thunderstorm activity with heavy rain falls. Too low, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain (1,500 meters high) located about 59 km from the airport. The wreckage was found about 30 meters below the summit. A passenger aged 80 died while all other occupants were rescued.

A twin engine training plane operated by the Venezuelan Navy crashed few days ago. One pilot was killed while the second escaped with minor injuries. Funerals were organized by the Armada Venezolana and a Casa 212 was chartered to carry the coffin to Santa Barbara. On board were soldiers, officers, friends and family members of the deceased pilot. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was cleared by ATC to divert to Mérida-Alberto Carnevalli Airport. Few minutes later, while cruising in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 55 km from Mérida Airport. A passenger was injured while 22 other occupants were killed. The passenger who survived was the second pilot on the first accident few days ago. He survived two crashes in a week.

The twin engine aircraft christened 'El Isleño' departed Quibdó-El Caraño Airport at 1243LT on a flight to Bogotá, carrying 12 passengers and for crew members. While cruising at an altitude of 11,500 pieds, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt San Nicolás. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 16 occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Kuito Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed 30 km from the airport. All 25 occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Caracas-Maiquetía-Simon Bolivar Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. In limited visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Junquito located near the village of La Sabaneta, about 25 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 25 occupants were killed, among them several civilians.

The twin engine aircraft departed San José-Tobías Bolaños Airport in relative good weather conditions. While climbing to an altitude of 6,000 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of the White Peak (2,438 meters high) located about 20 km southeast of the airport. The wreckage was found about 600 meters from the summit and all 23 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was good but some atmospheric turbulences were reported in the vicinity of the mountains.