First Accident
A twin-engine training aircraft operated by the Venezuelan Navy crashed. One pilot was killed, while the second pilot escaped with minor injuries. The Armada Venezolana organized funerals for the deceased pilot.
Second Accident
A Casa 212 aircraft was chartered to transport the coffin of the deceased pilot to Santa Barbara. On board were soldiers, officers, friends, and family members. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and received clearance from air traffic control to divert to Mérida-Alberto Carnevalli Airport. Minutes later, while cruising in clouds, the aircraft struck a mountain slope located 55 km from Mérida Airport. A passenger was injured, and 22 other occupants were killed. The passenger who survived was the second pilot from the first accident, having survived two crashes within a week.
Probable Cause
The official finding attributed the second accident to controlled flight into terrain after the crew became lost in poor weather conditions.