What happened
On a morning flight from Managua-Augusto C. Sandino Airport, a single-engine aircraft was en route to Bluefields with a total of 16 people on board, including two pilots and 14 passengers. The passenger group primarily consisted of personnel from a development aid organization.
As the flight approached its destination, the crew began a visual flight rules (VFR) descent. During this phase, the aircraft encountered marginal weather conditions. While flying at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, the plane collided with the slope of Mt Silva, situated within the Zelamente Central Mountain Range.
Search efforts located the wreckage roughly 50 km west of Bluefields. The accident resulted in 16 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the crew or passengers. Among the deceased was a Swiss national.
Findings
- The flight was operating under marginal weather conditions during the descent.
- The collision occurred while the aircraft was performing a VFR descent at 2,000 feet.