Panama City-Tocumen

While in climb at 18,000 feet the crew heard and explosion and lost n°3 and 4 engines. They visually noted that the propellers and portions of the gearboxes were also missing. They then shut down no 2 engine due to erratic indications. They declared an emergency and landed. The gear boxes and propellers were not recovered from the caribbean sea.

The four engine aircraft departed Panama City-Tocumen Airport at 0549LT on a cargo flight to Managua, carrying a crew of six. At 0653LT, the last radio contact was recorded with the crew. While cruising in limited visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Fábrega (3,335 meters high) located in the west part of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants was found. The wreckage was found by walkers on 19 August 1989 at the altitude of 2,800 meters, more than 500 meters below the summit.
Crew:
William Gross Robles,
Ricardo Tadeo Czarski,
Marvin José Arana,
Juan de Dios Morales,
Juan Francisco Pavón,
José Félix Chávez.

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Managua to Panama City, the engine n°3 detached and the n°4 caught fire. The pilot was able to extinguish the fire but unable to feather the propeller. Passengers jettisoned the cargo and eventually, the crew managed to ditch the aircraft in the Río San Carlos near Boca San Carlos. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

On approach to Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility. It is believed he also encountered engine problems when the aircraft struck tree tops and crashed few km short of runway. A crew member was rescued while two other occupants were killed. The flight was operated on behalf of DHL Airways.

After takeoff from San Salvador-Ilopango Airport, while in initial climb, one of the four engine failed and caught fire. The airplane was unable to gain sufficient height and struck the slope of a mountain located about 3 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 37 occupants were killed.

While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Nevado del Tolima. All four occupants were killed.

Upon touchdown at Panama City-Tocumen Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its nose for several dozen meters before coming to rest on runway. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Following an uneventful cargo flight from Miami-Intl Airport, the crew started the descent to Panama City-Tocumen Airport in rain falls. After touchdown on a wet runway, the airplane encountered difficulties to decelerate and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen meters further. All four crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The twin engine airplane was performing a flight from Panama City to San José, carrying one pilot, the President of the RECOPE Group, and his wife (RECOPE - Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo). En route, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to divert to Puerto Limón Airport for an emergency landing. While descending by night, he realized he could not make it so he ditched the aircraft about 150 meters off Cahuita, some 30 km southeast of Puerto Limón Airport. Both occupants were injured and rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Following a night takeoff from Panama City-Tocumen Airport, while climbing, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.