Maracaibo-La Chinita | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

About 12 minutes after takeoff from Maracaibo-La Chinita Airport, while flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into Lake Maracaibo. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 8 occupants were killed. The flight was en route to Porlamar-Del Caribe-General en Jefe Santiago Mariño Airport when the accident occurred.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Maracaibo

Date & Time: Apr 25, 2015 at 1710 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Operator:

Servicio Autónomo de Transporte Aéreo - SATA

Registration:

YV2803

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Caracas – Maracaibo

MSN:

BB-506

YOM:

1979

Location:

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Crew on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reason, the twin engine aircraft landed hard. Impact caused the tail to separate. The aircraft lost its undercarriage then slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed. It seems the aircraft suffered an engine failure shortly before landing.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Valledupar: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 2007 at 2122 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

Operator:

Registration:

YV-246CP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Maracaibo – Panama City

MSN:

690-11278

YOM:

1976

Location:

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Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18829

Captain / Total hours on type:

781.00

Aircraft flight hours:

8197

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Maracaibo Airport on a charter flight to Panama City with three passengers and one pilot on board. While cruising over the Sierra de Perija between Venezuela and Colombia, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a mountainous terrain near Valledupar, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 on Mt La Aguada: 45 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1991 at 1617 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

YV-23C

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Maracaibo – Santa Bárbara de Zulia

MSN:

47720

YOM:

1976

Flight number:

LV108

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

32452

Aircraft flight cycles:

50298

Circumstances:

After departure from Maracaibo-La Chinita Airport, the crew followed a wrong heading to Santa Bárbara de Zulia (153° instead of 193°), which caused the aircraft to fly to the southeast over the lake of Maracaibo. While cruising at an altitude of 16,500 feet, the crew was cleared by ATC to descend to 5,500 feet. The crew reported to ATC that the VOR seemed to be inoperative but this was denied by the air traffic controller. At an altitude of 9,900 feet, the captain realized something was wrong about the heading selection, stopped the descent and initiated a right turn to gain height when the GPWS alarm sounded. Shortly later, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt La Aguada (3,320 meters high) located about 27 km northeast of Valera, some 170 km northeast of Santa Bárbara de Zulia. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 45 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures and failed to follow various checklists,
- The crew failed to realize he was following a wrong heading after takeoff and failed to proceed to the en-route checks as required,
- The crew was distracted by conversations with a third person who was seating on the jumpseat all flight,
- The crew failed to supervise the flight according to standard operations,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Lack of discipline,
- At the time of impact, the aircraft was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions,
- Poor visibility due to low clouds surroundings the mountains struck by the airplane.

Crash of a Vickers 749 Viscount in Maracaibo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1971

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Viscount

Operator:

Registration:

YV-C-AMZ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Maracaibo-La Chinita Airport, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near the runway end. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the accident was the consequence of control difficulties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Maracaibo: 155 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1969 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

YV-C-AVD

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Caracas – Maracaibo – Miami

MSN:

47243/448

YOM:

1969

Flight number:

VA742

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

155

Circumstances:

After takeoff from runway 04L at Maracaibo-Grano de Oro Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 150 feet, the airplane struck power cables. It lost speed and height then crashed in a huge explosion into the district of La Trinidad located near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 84 occupants were killed as well as 71 people on the ground. More than 20 buildings were destroyed and more than 100 people were injured, some of them seriously.

Probable cause:

Takeoff to Miami was attempted in marginal weather conditions from runway 04L (6,792 feet long). For undetermined reason, the temperature sensors located along the runway transmitted wrong values. Prior to departure, the crew performed the calculations necessary for the takeoff configuration and referred to these wrong values, causing erroneous takeoff performances. Thus, the takeoff roll was longer than expected and the rotation was completed later than normal. After liftoff, the minimum altitude was insufficient to clear the obstacles located past the runway end.