Fatal Icing Accident Involving Twin-Engine Aircraft Between Santiago de Cuba and Havana (CU-T1549)

Flight Details and Initial Climb The twin-engine aircraft departed Port-au-Prince on a scheduled service to Havana, with an intermediate stop at Santiago de Cuba-Antonio Maceo Airport. The flight carried 61 passengers and 7 crew members. After departing Santiago de Cuba at 1644 local time, the crew was cleared to climb to 18,000 feet. At 1736 local time, they received clearance to continue climbing to 20,000 feet. ## Icing Indications and Crew Response During the climb, the total air temperature fell from +3°C to -1°C, and airspeed decreased from 196 knots to 176 knots. At 17:44, while at flight level 200, the icing caution light illuminated with an associated chime. Several seconds later, the angle-of-attack (AOA) light also illuminated. At 17:46, the crew activated the anti-icing switches on the overhead panel and contacted Havana Control to request descent to flight level 160 due to icing. The controller reported conflicting traffic 30 miles ahead, prompting the crew to request vectors for descent. Clearance was issued to change course from 295° to 330°. ## Loss of Control and Crash At 17:49, with an airspeed of 156 knots, the aircraft began a right bank. It then suddenly banked left and right before entering a 90-degree left bank with a steep nose-down attitude. The crew struggled to maintain control as the aircraft banked, turned, and lost altitude. The out-of-control aircraft crashed into wooded, hilly terrain, killing all 68 occupants.