Aircraft crash near Útila Airport following engine failure

1 fatality • Útila, Honduras • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Útila Airport after experiencing engine failure due to fuel exhaustion during a diversion.

What happened

During a flight through severe weather, the crew attempted to divert to Útila Airport after losing situational awareness. During the approach phase, the aircraft suffered a total loss of power when both engines ceased functioning. This failure was attributed to the exhaustion of available fuel. Following the loss of propulsion, the aircraft entered a stall and impacted a heavily forested region. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion.
  • The crash resulted in one fatality and two injuries among the occupants.
  • Upon inspection of the wreckage, authorities discovered 1,500 kilograms of cocaine inside the cabin.

Probable cause

The engines failed because the aircraft ran out of fuel during an approach in poor weather.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2009-05-10 BAe Jetstream 31 accident near Útila, Honduras?

An aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Útila Airport after experiencing engine failure due to fuel exhaustion during a diversion.

Were there any fatalities in the 2009-05-10 BAe Jetstream 31 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2009-05-10 involved a BAe Jetstream 31, registration YV1467, operated by Private Venezuela, at Útila, Honduras.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engines failed because the aircraft ran out of fuel during an approach in poor weather.

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