Central America

The approach to Flores-Santa Elena was completed in poor weather conditions. While descending at an altitude of 900 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 8 km from the runway threshold. All 14 occupants were killed, 13 citizen from Guatemala and one Mexican.

After takeoff from runway 09, a climbing left turn was made. At about 1,000 feet, the #2 (right) engine backfired, emitted flames, and lost power. The captain instructed the copilot to feather the #2 propeller, which the copilot initiated with the feathering button. When the captain requested gear and flap extension, the copilot released the feathering button which did not remain engaged, contrary to system design. The airplane had arrived on a left downwind abeam the landing area at 500 feet and 95 to 100 knots. The captain turned toward the runway, then he ordered the gear and flaps to be retracted and initiated a go-around by increasing the left throttle without increasing propeller speed. A right turn was then made, and the airplane eventually crashed about 3 miles from the runway. During a postaccident examination, the propellers were found unfeathered, and the right engine fuel selector was in the main tank position. The emergency procedure listed the best single engine speed as 85 knots. The procedure for engine fire/failure was to feather the propeller and to move the respective fuel selector to 'OFF.' Examination revealed the number 11 cylinder on the right engine was cracked. There was evidence of fire, adjacent to the cylinder on the cowling, which consisted of scorching, sooting, and a burned through area of the underside of the right engine cowling. The copilot indicated a previous problem with the feathering system, but maintenance records did not contain any previous discrepancies regarding this anomaly.

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bahía Tortugas to Ensenada, carrying a load of 8 tons of lobsters. At takeoff, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Panama City Airport. There were no casualties. The accident occurred somewhere in August 1996 (exact date unknown).

On August 5, 1996, about 1335 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 402B, N403N, registered to Virgin Air, Inc. dba Air St. Thomas, as flight 105, 14 CFR Part 135 scheduled international passenger service, from St. Barthelemy Island to St. Thomas, overran the runway during an aborted takeoff at St. Barthelemy Island. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and 6 passengers were not injured. One passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the elevator control jammed during the takeoff roll. He aborted the takeoff, but could not stop prior to over running the runway. The aircraft came to rest in about 3 feet of water.

After landing at Playa del Carmen Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and crashed in a wooded area located along the airport. A passenger was killed and all 17 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was completing a flight from Cancún, carrying 16 German tourists.

On May 15, 1996, about 0130 eastern daylight time, a Beech 200, N1865D, registered to R&B Leasing INC., crashed shortly after takeoff from the Treasure Cay International Airport, Treasure Cay, Bahamas. Weather conditions at the time of the accident are not available and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and co-pilot were fatally injured. It was reported that at the time of the accident the airplane was being stolen from the Treasure Cay International Airport, Treasure Cay, Bahamas.

En route from Orlando to Cancún, the crew got lost and was unable to follow the prescribed route, causing the aircraft to deviate from the flight plan to the west. Eventually, the crew was vectored to the Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport located about 1,144 km northwest of the destination airport. On final approach, both engines failed simultaneously due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft lost speed, stalled and collided with ILS equipment located about 300 metres short of runway 31. Upon impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft crash landed on the runway and came to rest 220 metres further. All 47 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On approach to Santa Maria de Otaez Airstrip, the crew encountered strong winds and turbulences when the aircraft went out of control and crashed on a hill located few km from the airfield. Three passengers were seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed. About two weeks later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

On April 20, 1996, about 1215 Atlantic standard time, N441W, a Cessna 441, crashed on landing in Walkers Cay, Bahamas, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Destin, Florida, about 2 hours 30 minutes earlier. The pilot stated that on final approach he landed short of the runway. The main landing gear sheared off the airplane and the nose gear collapsed.