Santiago de Cuba

The twin engine aircraft departed Port-au-Prince on a schedule service to Havana with an intermediate stop in Santiago de Cuba, carrying 61 passengers and 7 crew members. The airplane departed Santiago de Cuba-Antonio Maceo Airport at 1644LT and the crew was cleared to climb to his assigned altitude of 18,000 feet. At 1736LT, the crew was cleared to climb to 20,000 feet. During the climb, the Total Air Temperature (TAT) dropped from +3°C to -1°C and the aircraft' speed dropped from 196 knots to 176 knots. At 17:44, at FL200, the ICING caution light illuminated on the instrument panel with an associated chime. This was followed by the illumination of the AOA light several seconds later. At 17:46 the crew toggled the anti-icing switches on the overhead panel and contacted Havana Control to request permission to descent to FL160 due to icing. However, the controller reported conflicting traffic 30 miles ahead. The crew then requested vectors to enable them to descend. Clearance was given to change course from 295° to 330°. At 17:49, with an airspeed of 156 kts, the airplane commenced a right bank. Then suddenly the airplane banked left and right before banking 90° to the left again with a steep nose down attitude. The crew struggled to control the plane, which was banking turning and losing altitude. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in a wooded an hilly terrain. All 68 occupants were killed.

En route from Santiago to Coyhaique, the crew encountered severe icing conditions and was cleared to divert to Puerto Montt Airport. Few minutes later, the aircraft lost height and crashed on the slope of Mt Michimahuida. The wreckage was found on August 21. All 14 occupants were killed.

During the initial takeoff roll, there was a fluctuation of Brake Mean Engine Pressure (BMEPa measurement of engine output) on #2 engine, and the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The pilot completed two additional engine run-ups, and no abnormalities were noted. During the second attempted takeoff, and as the airplane climbed through 200 feet MSL, a loud bang or back fire from the #2 engine was heard. BMEP fluctuated and dropped showing about 150 BMEP difference with engine #1. The engine oil temperature started to rise rapidly, the engine oil pressure dropped and the airplane started to vibrate. The first officer reduced the #2 engine to 'dry' power, upon which a second bang or backfire was heard from the #2 engine. The #2 propeller was then feathered by the First Officer. Since altitude could not be maintained, the pilot ditched the airplane in the salt water lagoon. An FAA Inspector who examined the crash site noted that the right engine propeller was not fully feathered, and the wing flaps were extended about three degrees.. The airplane was recovered from the water 70 days after the accident. The flight crew completed the engine out emergency procedure in accordance with the prescribed checklist.

Shortly after takeoff from Santiago de Cuba-Antonio Maceo Airport, while climbing by night at an altitude of 500 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea few hundred metres offshore. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 44 occupants were killed, among them six Spanish and two Brazilian citizens.

The descent to Santiago de Cuba-Antonio Maceo Airport was started by night and poor weather conditions. As the crew was unable to locate the airport, he decided to abandon the approach and initiated a go-around. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned. During the third approach completed under VFR mode, the crew failed to realize he was not properly aligned when the aircraft struck at a speed of 280 km/h the top of a hill and crashed 4 km short of runway 27. Two crew members and 9 passengers were killed while 20 other occupants were rescued, among them 12 were seriously injured.

During the takeoff roll, at V1 speed, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure for unknown reasons. He reduced engine power and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. At a distance of 150 meters from the runway end, he realized he could not stop the airplane in time so he veered off runway to the left. The aircraft went into a grassy area, rolled for few dozen meters then plunges in a ravine, bursting into flames. Four passengers were killed while 17 other occupants were injured.

A multiple engine failure forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing near Cienfuegos. The aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest. Two passengers were killed and two others were injured. All other 89 occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a flight from Santiago to Antofagasta. The airplane crashed in a mountainous area, killing both pilots.

A minute after its takeoff from runway 19, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea less than one km off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and all 22 occupants were killed.

On approach to Kingston, at an altitude of 1,600 feet, the crew modified the position of the fuel selector when the left engine stopped. Due to an insufficient speed, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea some 16 km off Kingston. All 18 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
Joseph H. Hart, pilot,
H. E. Allen, copilot,
C. L. Mason, radio navigator,
A. C. Lusignani, purser.