Zone
Vargas

Crash of a BAe 3101 Jetstream 31 in Caracas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 2004 at 1302 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe Jetstream 31
Operator:
Registration:
YV-1083C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
El Vigía – Caracas
MSN:
762
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
VNE213
Location:
Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar
Vargas
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 09, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the right and eventually collided with the fire station located between both runways 08 and 09 at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport. Two female passengers were killed while 19 other occupants suffered injuries of various degrees. Few hours later, a third passenger died from his injuries. Weather conditions were poor at the time of the accident with heavy rain falls, and the runway surface was wet.

Crash of a Boeing 737-200 in Lima

Date & Time: Dec 13, 2003 at 2248 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-200
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1544-P
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Caracas - Lima
MSN:
20956
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
ACQ341
Location:
Lima-Callao-Jorge Chávez
Lima
Country:
Peru
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
94
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
25502
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2229
Aircraft flight hours:
62716
Aircraft flight cycles:
62162
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Caracas, the crew started the approach to Lima-Callao-Jorge Chávez Airport when the crew noted an asymmetric warning with the flaps. The crew decided to continue the approach but failed to lower the undercarriage. The aircraft belly landed at a speed of 190 knots and slid on runway 15 for 2,347 metres before coming to rest. All 100 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew to verify and check the Non Normal Checklist of the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) due to technical problems at the time of approach and landing, causing the omission of the extension of the gear and subsequent contact of the aircraft with the runway with landing gear retracted. The following findings were identified:
- During the approach, an indication of flap asymmetry presented.
- Due to the tightness of the itinerary programmed by the company, the total flight hours and the flight's working day were within the limits of the maximum allowed by the RAP, which could have influenced (due to fatigue) the poor performance by the crew.
- The lack of recording of some parameters of the flight recorders (FDR and CVR) prevented the resolution of some important and useful details for the investigation.
- The flap asymmetry indication, due to an indication fault in the Flap Position Indicator caused by high electrical resistance originating from the winding inside the synchro transmitter of the right side Flap Position Transmitter.
- The omission of the use in the approach phase of the procedures described in the QRH for this type of abnormal situations.
- The lack of decision to carry out a Go Around, taking into account that the period of time to carry out the QRH procedures for this abnormal situation was not going to be enough.
- Overconfidence (complacency) during the approach phase under abnormal conditions (indication of flap asymmetry).
- Lack of Crew Resource Management during the approach and landing phases, especially under abnormal conditions.
- Lack of leadership during the abnormal situation presented.
- Lack of communication with the Control Tower about the abnormal conditions in which the approach and landing were to be carried out.
- Itinerary very adjusted to the limits of flight hours and working hours, established by the RAP.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-12C Huron near Charallave: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-12 Huron
Operator:
Jicarilla Game & Fish Commission
Registration:
N48JA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Caracas – Charallave
MSN:
BC-51
YOM:
1978
Location:
Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga
Miranda
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Lost without trace on a delivery flight from Caracas to Charallave. The wreckage was not found. Both occupants are presumed dead.

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-2 Skyservant off Los Roques

Date & Time: Feb 2, 2002 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO.28D Skyservant
Operator:
Registration:
YV-679C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Caracas - Los Roques
MSN:
4135
YOM:
1972
Location:
Los Roques
Los Roques Federal Dependencies
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a charter flight from Caracas to Los Roques, carrying 12 passengers and two pilots, among them seven Italian tourists. Over the Los Roques Island, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted to ditch the aircraft off Larga Island. All 14 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank by a depth of four metres and was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air off Bimini: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1999 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
Operator:
Compania Aerospace de Venezuela
Registration:
YV-385CP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Caracas
MSN:
BB-740
YOM:
1981
Location:
Bimini
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
1841
Circumstances:
A Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, YV-385CP, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 9 miles southwest of Bimini, Bahamas, while on personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed, and the commercial-rated flight instructor and a pilot-rated passenger were both fatally injured. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, the same day, about 10:53. At 11:14, the pilot of YV-385CP told FAA ARTCC that he was experiencing an emergency, and he asked for immediate directions to Bimini. There were no further communications. According to radar information, at 11:13:33, the altitude was about 23,600 feet, and at 11:14:58 it had descended to 2,800 feet. Sound spectrum analysis of an FAA re-recording of communications between the pilot and ATC, indicated there were electronic signatures present, attributable to propeller noise, at cruise setting, for that type of aircraft. Records obtained from Venezuela indicated that earlier, YV-385CP had been involved in an accident, and had incurred extensive structural damage. The aircraft had been repaired in Venezuela, and was subsequently flown to the Unites States for additional repairs. Records obtained from the U.S. repair station indicated that the airplane incurred an extensive maintenance history, with needed repairs including damaged wiring, and leaks in the fuel system, as well as structural leaks, which had lead to several pressurization difficulties.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air off Maiquetía: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1997 at 1805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
YV-539C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Los Roques – Caracas
Location:
Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar
Vargas
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
At 1759LT, while descending to Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport by night, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure. Six minutes later, the aircraft crashed in the sea about 22 km north of the airport. A passenger was rescued at 2205LT. The following night, two dead bodies were found while seven other occupants were never found. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
Ricardo Batija. †
Passengers:
Francesco Porco,
Fernando Guasamucare, †
Ileana González, †
Víctor Ruiz, †
Yelitza Arenas, †
Juan Cabezas, †
Ledda Martínez, †
Edwin Núñez, †
Paola de Guasamucare. †
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 402A off Caracas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1997 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
YV-784C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Caracas - Los Roques
MSN:
402A-0111
YOM:
1969
Location:
Caracas
Caracas Federal District
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Caracas-Maiquetía-Simon Bolívar Airport at 2145LT on a charter flight to Los Roques. Few minutes later, it went out of control and crashed in the sea bout 85 km north of Caracas. Some debris were found floating on water but no trace of the wreckage nor the six occupants.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Caracas

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1994
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Multi Servicios Lujal
Registration:
YV-726CP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Los Roques - Caracas
MSN:
LW-182
YOM:
1976
Location:
Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar
Vargas
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Los Roques to Caracas, the crew encountered engine problems and declared an emergency. He was cleared to divert to Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport. Upon landing, the crew encountered strong cross winds and the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a drainage ditch located 45 metres from the runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-10-30 in Buenos Aires

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1993 at 0622 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-10
Operator:
Registration:
YV-135C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Caracas - Buenos Aires
MSN:
46971/258
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
VA940
Location:
Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini
Buenos Aires City
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
17
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
106
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Caracas, the crew started the descent to Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini Airport but encountered poor weather conditions with ceiling down to 800 feet, heavy rain falls and windshear. The aircraft landed 750-800 metres past the runway threshold and was unable to stop within the remaining distance (runway 35 is 2,800 metres long). It overran and while contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest 180 metres further. All 123 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the runway surface was wet and the braking action was reduced.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15 off Margarita Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
YV-03C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Caracas - Caracas
MSN:
47000
YOM:
1967
Location:
Margarita Island
Nueva Esparta
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Caracas-Maiquetía-Simon Bolivar on a post maintenance test flight, carrying eight engineers and technicians and three crew members. Twenty-eight minutes into the flight, the crew started the test program when nine minutes later, the pilot was able to send a brief mayday message but its content remains unclear. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea 16 km off Margarita Island. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and few debris were found floating on water while the majority of the aircraft sank to a significant depth and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.
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