Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Bluefields: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1999 at 0810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
152
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Managua - Bluefields
MSN:
142 06
YOM:
1985
Location:
Bluefields
Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Managua Airport at 0710LT on a flight to Bluefields, carrying 21 passengers and a crew of seven, among them 15 civilians. On approach, the crew was instructed by ATC to follow a holding pattern because another aircraft was blocking the main runway. Shortly later, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 6 km from the airport. All 28 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Canadair CL-44D4-1 in Miami

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1982 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Canadair CL-44
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BHS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami - Managua
MSN:
14
YOM:
1961
Location:
Miami-Intl
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
42851
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Miami-Intl Airport, outbound to Managua on a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems with the undercarriage due to a hydraulic pressure fault. Decision was taken to return for a safe landing and the landing gears were lowered. The nose gear was down and locked but not both main gears which remained partially deployed and not locked. Upon touchdown, both main gear partially retracted and the airplane came to rest on the runway. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage failure upon landing due to hydraulic pressure fault.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in La Piragua: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1976
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Registration:
1011
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
La Piragua - Managua
MSN:
121
YOM:
1956
Location:
La Piragua
Jinotega
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from La Piragua, the single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area. A passenger was killed while eight other occupants were injured. The aircraft was recovered in February 1979 but eventually considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 off Managua: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Managua
Managua City District
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew departed Managua-Las Mercedes Airport on a supply mission to the west coast of the country that suffered Hurricane 'Fifi'. The aircraft was carrying a crew of seven and a load of 5,000 pounds of various goods. During the initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed into Lake Xolotlán off Managua. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF off San Juan: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1972 at 1923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
American Express Leasing
Registration:
N500AE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Humanitarian
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - San Juan - Managua
MSN:
45130
YOM:
1957
Location:
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
12400
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was engaged in a humanitarian flight from Miami to Managua with an intermediate stop in San Juan, carrying three crew members, two passengers (among them the famous American Baseball player Roberto Clemente aged 38) and various goods for the victims of the recent earthquake in Nicaragua. The crew was cleared to takeoff from runway 08 at 1920LT. After rotation, the crew was instructed to turn to left according to departure procedures. Three minutes after takeoff, while in initial climb by night, the airplane suffered various technical problems, lost height, stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred meters offshore. Some debris were found floating on water and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was caused by the failure of the engine n°2 and a loss of power on engine n°3. The failure of the engine n°2 was caused by engine structure problems with master and connecting rods, cylinder assembly and piston rings. Investigations also determined that the aircraft was not properly maintained and inspected in accordance with the rules in force. Also, the flight engineer was not qualified for this type of aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- The aircraft was overloaded by 4,193 pounds (1,902 kg),
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Powerplant structure,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Deficiency in the company maintenance program, violating services regulation,
- Previous damages.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 on Mt Turrialba: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1970 at 1415 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
411
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Managua - Panama City
Location:
Mt Turrialba
Cartago (East Central Valley)
Country:
Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a special flight from Managua to Panama City, carrying three passengers (all civilians), and three crew members. While approaching San José, Costa Rica, weather conditions deteriorated with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. In poor visibility, the airplane struck the slope of the Turrialba volcano (3,340 meters high) and disintegrated on impact. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46C Commando in Managua

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
AN-AKY
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Managua – Miami
Location:
Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino-Las Mercedes
Managua City District
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Managua to Miami, carrying two pilots and a load of 25,000 pounds of coffee. Shortly after takeoff from Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in flames 5 km from the airport. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.

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
Coclé
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 Curtiss C-46C Commando in Managua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1961 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
AN-AOE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Managua – Miami
Location:
Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino-Las Mercedes
Managua City District
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
12135
Captain / Total hours on type:
5066.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Las Mercedes at 1100LT on an IFR flight to Miami, Florida. Its only occupants were the captain and copilot. Shortly after takeoff control difficulties were experienced. During an attempt to return to the airport, the aircraft stalled on final approach, went into a spin and crashed at an angle of 45° to 50° on its right wing. The aircraft immediately burst into flames, and the central section, fuselage and the portion of the wings which contained the fuel tanks, were destroyed. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to cargo displacement towards the rear of the aircraft during the take-off run or immediately after taking-off.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-749a Constellation into the Caribbean Sea: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-749 Constellation
Operator:
Air Haïti International
Registration:
HH-ABA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan – Managua
MSN:
2615
YOM:
1949
Location:
Caribbean Sea
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from San Juan to Managua on a cargo flight, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and crashed in unknown circumstances into the Caribbean Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.
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