Alta Verapaz | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Crashed in unknown circumstances in bushes near Cobán, Guatemala, while engaged in an illegal flight. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and no one was found on the scene. The registration seems to be false.

Crash of a BAe 125-800A near Alta Verapaz: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 2020

Type of aircraft:

BAe 125

Operator:

Registration:

XB-PYZ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

258018

YOM:

1984

Location:

Alta Verapaz

Country:

Guatemala

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Engaged in an illegal flight, the crew was attempting to land on a remote airstrip located in the region of Alta Verapaz. In unclear circumstances, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Santa Catalina La Tinta: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1999 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Operator:

Procafe

Registration:

TG-RBK

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Guatemala City – Santa Catalina La Tinta

MSN:

500-1809-19

YOM:

1968

Location:

Santa Catalina la Tinta

Alta Verapaz

Country:

Guatemala

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to a private airstrip located near Santa Catalina La Tinta, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances 300 metres short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were poor with low clouds and rain falls. Thunderstorm activity was reported all along the route.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Cobán: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1996 at 0656 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Avcom - Aviones Comerciales de Guatemala

Registration:

TG-JAK

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Guatemala City – Cobán

MSN:

714

YOM:

1980

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

5644

Circumstances:

The approach to Cobán Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to fog. Too low, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 7,2 km short of runway. Both pilots were killed. They were completing a positioning flight from Guatemala City.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the descent below the MDA in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Rubelsanto

Date & Time: May 2, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

YS-35C

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

45323/954

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Rubelsanto Airport, the four engine airplane was too low and struck the ground short of runway. The undercarriage were torn off on impact and the airplane crash landed on its belly. All three crew members escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S near Cobán: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Operator:

Registration:

TG-JOT

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was returning to his base at Guatemala City after he drop off passengers somewhere in Yucatán, Mexico. The twin engine was flying with a second aircraft from the same operator, a Piper PA-23 Aztec registered TG-HIZ. In unknown circumstances, both aircraft collided in flight and crashed in the region of Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Both aircraft were destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Panzós: 30 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1956 at 1020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

TG-AHA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Guatemala City – Santa Catalina la Tinta – Puerto Barrios

MSN:

6052

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Sierra de las Minas, about 20 km south of Panzós. Hours were necessary for the rescuers to reach the crash site. Five passengers were seriously injured while all 26 other occupants were killed. Four of the survivors died from their injuries in the following days.