Accident
On August 24, 2008, at approximately 1545 UTC, a Cessna 208 aircraft, registered in Guatemala as TG-JCS, was destroyed during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Zacapa, Guatemala. The airplane was operated by Aero Ruta Maya and had departed from La Aurora International Airport (MGGT) in Guatemala City, bound for El Estor, Izabal, Guatemala. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
According to reports, the engine power loss occurred about 15 minutes after takeoff. The crew attempted a forced landing in a field, but the aircraft crashed. A postcrash fire consumed the majority of the airplane. The two Guatemalan certificated flight crew members and nine passengers were killed in the accident. Additionally, three passengers sustained serious injuries.
Aircraft
The accident aircraft was a Cessna 208, a single-engine turboprop commonly used for passenger and cargo transport. It bore Guatemalan registration TG-JCS and was based at La Aurora International Airport. The operator, Aero Ruta Maya, operated the aircraft from that base.
Investigation
The investigation into the accident falls under the jurisdiction of the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC) of Guatemala. The DGAC has authority over the inquiry and any further information pertaining to the accident may be obtained from their offices at Aeropuerto International La Aurora, Zona 13, Guatemala, C.A. 01013.
The facts presented in this report are limited to information released by the Government of Guatemala.