What happened
A local training mission departed from Havana-José Martí-Rancho Boyeros Airport when its Antonov AN-24 entered the approach path for the airfield. During this phase, the aircraft collided with a Cubana Douglas DC-8-43, identified by registration CU-T1200. The DC-8 had been traveling from Montreal and was on its final approach to the same airport, carrying 16 crew members and 13 passengers.
Following the impact, the flight crew of the Antonov AN-24 lost control of the aircraft. The plane descended into the ground, resulting in a crash that ignited a fire. There were 5 fatalities among the occupants of the Antonov.
The crew of the CU-T1200 managed to maintain control of their aircraft and completed the landing sequence without further incident. While all 29 people on board the Douglas DC-8 escaped the event uninjured, the aircraft sustained significant structural damage, including the loss of the number one engine and portions of the left wing, rendering it a total loss.
Findings
The collision occurred while both aircraft were operating within the approach path for Havana-José Martí-Rancho Boyeros Airport.