Río San Juan

The four engine aircraft departed Swan Island Airport (Islas del Cisne) off Honduras on a supply mission to the Contras rebels in Nicaragua. It was carrying a load of weapons, ammunition, clothing and food as well as 10 people. After 11 pallets were dropped, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile that struck one of the right engine. The aircraft continued for about 30 km when it was shot down by a second surface-to-air missile and crashed four minutes later. One occupant was injured while nine others were killed.

The aircraft departed San Salvador-Ilopango Airport and was dispatched over Nicaragua to deliver military supply to the Contras on behalf of a US program. On board were 70 AK-47 rifles, about 100,000 ammunition, rockets and grenades. Approaching San Carlos after flying along the coast, the crew descended to an altitude of 2,500 feet and was preparing to jettison the cargo when the aircraft was shot downy by a surface-to-air SAM-7 missile from the Sandinista forces. The aircraft lost height and crashed. Three crew members were killed while the fourth was able to parachute to safety. He was later captured by the Sandinista National Liberation Front.