Incident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Útila Airport, resulting in the death of the pilot and injuries to two other occupants. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. The flight was determined to be illegal, as a load of 1,500 kilograms of cocaine was discovered in the cabin after the crash.
Sequence of Events
The flight was cruising in bad weather conditions when the crew lost orientation and decided to divert to Útila Airport. During the approach, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft subsequently stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area.
Aftermath
The pilot was killed, and the two other occupants sustained injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed. Emergency responders later recovered 1,500 kilograms of cocaine from the wreckage.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a double engine failure on final approach due to fuel exhaustion, and that the flight was illegal.