Country
Honduras
code

Francisco Morazán

Crash of a Gulfstream G200 in Tegucigalpa

Date & Time: May 22, 2018 at 1119 LT
Type of aircraft:
Gulfstream G200
Operator:
Registration:
N813WM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Austin – Tegucigalpa
MSN:
54
YOM:
2001
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5400
Aircraft flight hours:
5299
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 02, the copilot informed the captain about the fact that the approach speed was too high by 20 knots to the reference speed. The captain replied he would correct this but the airplane landed too far down runway 02, about 993 metres before the end of the runway which is 2,010 metres long but with a displaced threshold, giving a landing distance available of 1,700 metres. Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was 142 knots, about 14 knots above the speed reference according to existing conditions and weight and balance. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went down an embankment, crossed a road and came to rest against a second embankment, broken in two. All six occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Owned by TVPX, it was operated by Silver Air.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the followings:
- The crew completed an approach at a speed higher than the reference speed for weight and balance specified in the aircraft checklist,
- Lack of specific information on the length of the runway at Toncontín International Airport by the crew for the approach to runway 02, when landing almost halfway down the runway leaving little distance for effective braking of the systems,
- A late activation of the thrust reverser systems about 0:13 seconds after touchdown was considered as a contributing factor,
- Existing weather conditions were not considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E20 near Tegucigalpa: 14 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 2011 at 0802 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Registration:
HR-AUQ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Pedro Sula - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
91 26 03
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
CAA731
Location:
Tegucigalpa
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
15300
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4810
Aircraft flight hours:
5153
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed San Pedro Sula-Ramon Villeda Morales Airport at 0704LT on a 40-minute flight to Tegucigalpa, carrying 12 passengers and two pilots. After being cleared to descend to 9,000 feet for an approach to runway 20, the crew informed ATC he was initiating a go-around procedure for unknown reasons. Few minutes later, the aircraft was cleared for an approach to runway 02. On approach in marginal weather conditions in a full flaps down configuration, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 12 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
1) Weather conditions existing at the time of the event, during the approach to the runway the aircraft was operated slightly above the stall speed and a major change in wind speed could cause a stall. The altitude at which the windshear occurred, and the reaction time of the pilot and the responsiveness of the aircraft determined whether the descent could be arrested in time to avoid an accident.
2) No published descent procedures were performed, possibly misinterpretation of Flight Instruments (altimeter, airspeed indicator).
3) During the descent to the VOR/DME for runway 20 and 02, the pilot in command (PIC) did not check his approach chart, and did not continually consult the first officer on the altitude and course.
4) There was no adequate communication between crew; deficient CRM (No approach briefing was made for any of the two approaches).
5) The aircraft was configured for landing with flaps fully down (flap 42) at a very long distance from the track without having it in sight. It is noteworthy that the aircraft will not respond to an adverse condition windshear as it appeared at that time with such a configuration. It should be noted that in both approaches it is mandatory to perform a 'circling' procedure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 2010 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Registration:
TG-JYM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tegucigalpa – La Mesa
MSN:
421B-0403
YOM:
1973
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Three minutes after takeoff from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of an Airbus A320-233 in Tegucigalpa: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 2008 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Airbus A320
Operator:
Registration:
EI-TAF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Salvador – Tegucigalpa – Miami
MSN:
1374
YOM:
2000
Flight number:
TA390
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
118
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11899
Captain / Total hours on type:
8514.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1607
Copilot / Total hours on type:
250
Aircraft flight hours:
21957
Aircraft flight cycles:
9992
Circumstances:
A TACA Airlines Airbus A320, flight TA390, with Irish Registry EI-TAF, with 135 passengers and crew on board, overran at the end of the runway during landing at Tegucigalpa caused the deaths of three people on board and two on the ground. The government of Honduras delegated the conduct of investigation to the Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authorities, as provided for in Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. In accordance with international agreements, France sent two investigators from the BEA (Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses), accompanied by five technical advisors from Airbus; United States sent two investigators from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), accompanied by one advisor from FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and one technical Advisor from IAE (International Aero Engine); and Ireland sent one investigator. Both flight recorders (CVR and DFDR) were recovered and taken to the NTSB in order to perform the read out. The following data result from the analysis done by the BEA and Airbus of the accident recorders, which have been processed within the NTSB facilities under the leadership of the in-charge Authorities. It is confirmed that the aircraft was dispatched without any deferred MEL item. Prior to landing, the wind information given by the ATC to the crew was 190°/10kt and ATC also confirmed that the runway was wet. The Captain was the Pilot Flying (PF). Landing configuration was established with Slats/Flaps fully extended, gear down, ground spoilers armed, autobrake selected to MED. The aircraft landing weight was 63.5t (max landing weight 64.5t), Vapp 137kt. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 02 and landed with Autopilot and Flight Directors OFF, and autothrust engaged in managed speed mode. At time of touch down, IAS was 139kt and Ground Speed (GS) was 159kt (estimated tailwind was 12kt from DFDR data analysis). The aircraft landed on runway 02 (Runway 02 is 3297 feet high and has a displaced threshold of 213m). The Landing Distance Available (LDA) for runway 02 is of 1649m. The touch down occurred at approximately 400m from the runway 02 displaced threshold. Immediately after touchdown, the crew selected MAX REV, and both engine reversers and the Ground Spoilers (G/S) deployed normally. The nosewheel touch down occurred 7s after the Main Landing Gear (MLG) following PF inputs. The crew applied manual braking 4s after MLG touch down and commanded maximum pedal braking in 10s (14s after MLG touch down). At 70 knots Indicated Airspeed Speed (IAS), upon Pilot Non Flying (PNF) call-out, the PF selected IDLE REV. The remaining distance to the runway end was approximately 190m. The aircraft overran the runway at 54kt and dropped down the 20 m embankment sustaining severe damage on impact with the ground. The landing performance analysis confirms that the landing performances are consistent with runway condition and crew actions.
Probable cause:
Contributing factors:
- Wrong approach configuration,
- Excessive speed upon landing,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway with a tailwind component,
- On approach, the crew failed to recalculate the aircraft weight for landing and the landing distance,
- The non precision approach was completed in poor weather conditions, which increased the cockpit crew workload,
- The absence of a stopping zone at the end of runway 02 contributed to the severity of the occurrence,
- The runway surface was wet and not equipped with a water drainage system, which reduced the braking coefficient.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B in Tegucigalpa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1998 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos de El Salvador
Registration:
YS-14C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Guatemala City – Tegucigalpa
MSN:
31-7300940
YOM:
1973
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport runway 01 in IMC conditions, the aircraft descended too low and crashed 10 km short of runway at an altitude of 5,325 feet. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. The minimum altitude for the approach at the crash site is 6,700 feet. After crossing the 5 DME fix, a flight can descend to 5,200 feet.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach at an insufficient altitude until the aircraft impacted ground.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
88-4408
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Milwaukee – Tegucigalpa – Howard AFB
MSN:
5161
YOM:
1989
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport on a flight to Howard AFB, Panama City, with an intermediate stop in Tegucigalpa, carrying 10 crew members and a load consisting of foods and electronics. At Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the aircraft landed 2,000 feet past the runway threshold in a 50° flaps down configuration. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and crashed on a road and a bridge, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and seven others were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188CF Electra in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-188 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
HR-TNL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Pedro Sula - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
1134
YOM:
1960
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the south slope of Cerro de Hula (1,600 meters high) located 14 km from runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 727-200 in Tegucigalpa: 127 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1989 at 0753 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
N88705
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San José - Managua - Tegucigalpa - Houston
MSN:
19514
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
SH414
Location:
Tegucigalpa-Toncontin
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
138
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
131
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Managua, the crew started a night descent to Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport. The standard approach to runway 01 consisted of a three-steps descent from the initial approach fix altitude of 7,500 feet. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to follow this procedure and started the descent prematurely and with a constant descent profile from a distance of 11 nm from the airport. This caused the aircraft to descend below the glide when, at an altitude of 4,000 feet, it struck the slope of Cerro de Hula (4,800 feet high) located 7,7 km short of runway 01. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and 15 people, including four crew members, were rescued while 131 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to follow the approach procedures and initiated a premature descent, causing the aircraft to follow a wrong approach profile.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew experience was insufficient,
- Negligences on part of the crew,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The crew failed to take appropriate actions when the GPWS alarm sounded,
- Lack of visibility caused by night and marginal weather conditions,
- Absence of visual reference points on the ground.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 near Tegucigalpa: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Albiacion Circulo General
Registration:
HR-AKZ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Humanitarian
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
44642
YOM:
1955
Location:
Tegucigalpa
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft collided with a mountain about 27 km from the Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. They were completing a humanitarian mission on behalf of USAid.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A near Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
HR-TNO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Miami - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
45476/977
YOM:
1958
Location:
Tegucigalpa
Francisco Morazán
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While descending to Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport on a cargo flight from Miami, the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed 16 km from the destination. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
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