Country
Venezuela
code

Zulia

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Cabimas

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I
Operator:
Registration:
YV-121CP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
150
YOM:
1964
Location:
Cabimas-Oro Negro
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Cabimas-Oro Negro Airport, the crew started the braking procedure when the aircraft collided with a cow. The right engine and the right main gear were torn off and the aircraft came to rest. There were no injuries among the occupants while the animal was killed. The accident occurred in June 1988, exact date unknown.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the perimeter fence was damaged, allowing animals to enter the airport area. This was not noticed by the airport authorities.

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Cabimas: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-580
Operator:
Registration:
YV-84C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cabimas - Caracas
MSN:
157
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
VE034
Location:
Cabimas-Oro Negro
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Cabimas-Oro Negro Airport runway 06, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. The tail struck a hill located 500 meters past the runway end and the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located one km further. Both pilots were killed while 11 other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I near Machiques: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 500 Citation
Operator:
Registration:
YV-O-MAC-1
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Carlota - La Carlota
MSN:
500-0336
YOM:
1976
Location:
Machiques
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane departed La Carlota-General Francisco de Miranda earlier in the day on an inspection flight on behalf of the Venezuelan Ministry of Agriculture and Farming. While flying along the Colombia - Venezuela border, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed in a mountainous area near Machiques and came to rest in flames. All three passengers, among them Minister Luciano Valero, escaped uninjured while both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Vickers 749 Viscount in Maracaibo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viscount
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-AMZ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
96
YOM:
1956
Location:
Maracaibo-La Chinita
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Maracaibo-La Chinita Airport, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near the runway end. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of control difficulties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Maracaibo: 155 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1969 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-AVD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Caracas – Maracaibo – Miami
MSN:
47243/448
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
VA742
Location:
Maracaibo-La Chinita
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
74
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
155
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 04L at Maracaibo-Grano de Oro Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 150 feet, the airplane struck power cables. It lost speed and height then crashed in a huge explosion into the district of La Trinidad located near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 84 occupants were killed as well as 71 people on the ground. More than 20 buildings were destroyed and more than 100 people were injured, some of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Takeoff to Miami was attempted in marginal weather conditions from runway 04L (6,792 feet long). For undetermined reason, the temperature sensors located along the runway transmitted wrong values. Prior to departure, the crew performed the calculations necessary for the takeoff configuration and referred to these wrong values, causing erroneous takeoff performances. Thus, the takeoff roll was longer than expected and the rotation was completed later than normal. After liftoff, the minimum altitude was insufficient to clear the obstacles located past the runway end.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049G-82 Super Constellation on Mt Alto del Cedro: 23 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1958 at 0023 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-ANC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Panama City – Maracaibo
MSN:
4575
YOM:
1955
Location:
Mt Alto del Cedro (Serranía de Perijá)
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Captain / Total hours on type:
2134.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1069
Copilot / Total hours on type:
469
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a flight between Panama City and Maracaibo, carrying a crew of 6 and 17 passengers. The crew reported over the Riohacha intersection at 2351LT at an altitude of 15,000 feet and estimated his arrival at Maracaibo-Grano de Oro Airport at 0030LT. At 0015LT the crew reported he was 35 miles out at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The last contact with the aircraft was at 0022LT. It crashed on Alto del Cedro Mountain in the Serranía de Perijá, killing all 23 persons aboard.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred owing to premature descent caused by the pilot's failure to allow himself a suitable margin for:
- altered flight course and
- shortage of navigational facilities in the area.
It was also reported that the pilot turned northwest on reaching position Tango/2, instead of turning at Barranquilla, and flew towards a wrong position 45 miles from the Riohacha intersection, having failed to take this discrepancy into account in calculating his distance from Maracaibo. It is very likely that the pilot, when reporting 35 miles from Maracaibo, had seen the Carrasquero lights and the surrounding gas flares, through a thin layer of cloud below and believed they were the lights of Maracaibo. The pilot had no way of definitely determining his position in the area, and, therefore, ought to have taken greater precaution against descent at a mistaken location. His best alternative should have been to remain at a safer altitude until (1) he sighted the Maracaibo lights (not the glare), or (2) obtained oscillation of the radio compass needle over Maracaibo.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F Commando off Maracaibo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-EVL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Maiquetía – Guatemala City
Location:
Maracaibo
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising off Maracaibo, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Maracaibo

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-ARF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12957
YOM:
1944
Location:
Maracaibo
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Maracaibo-Grano de Oro Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the landing gears that could not be lowered. The aircraft then belly landed and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All 20 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Landing gear failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Maracaibo

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
R. W. Duff
Registration:
NC57667
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6030
YOM:
1942
Location:
Maracaibo
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL in Maracaibo

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Transporte Aéreo Transandino
Registration:
YV-C-AQC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
19126
YOM:
1943
Location:
Maracaibo
Zulia
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing in Maracaibo Airport, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
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