Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN at Howard AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
63-7983
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Refuelling
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Grissom - Howard
MSN:
18600
YOM:
1963
Location:
Howard AFB (Panama City)
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
8041
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the four engine aircraft landed hard and bounced. It became airborne again and went out of control before crashing onto a hill. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-3 Islander in Yaviza: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
HP-680
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
328
YOM:
1973
Location:
Yaviza
Darién
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and crashed near Yaviza. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander off Taboga Island

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
HP-659
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
64
YOM:
1969
Location:
Taboga Island
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, one of the engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft some 22 km off Taboga Island. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Coclecito: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1981 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
FAP-205
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Río Hato – Penonomé – Coclecito
MSN:
284
YOM:
1970
Location:
Coclecito
Coclé
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Río Hato Airport at 1044LT and landed at Penonomé at 1055LT. Following a stop of 45 minutes, the airplane took off bound to the north to Coclecito. While cruising at an altitude of 3,400 feet in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. All seven occupants were killed, among them General Omar Efraín Torrijos, President of the Republic of Panama.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain while flying in low clouds and foggy conditions.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Panama City

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
YN-BVI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
44117/461
YOM:
1954
Location:
Panama City-Tocumen
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Nose gear collapsed on landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Convair CV-880-22-2 in Panama City

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-880
Operator:
Registration:
HP-821
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami - Panama City
MSN:
22-00-41
YOM:
1960
Location:
Panama City-Tocumen
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382C-72D Hercules off Panama City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Transporte Aéreo Boliviano - TAB
Registration:
CP-1375
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Panama City – La Paz
MSN:
4744
YOM:
1977
Location:
Panama City-Tocumen
Panamá
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
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.
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