No fatalities

Emergency Landing After Takeoff Ends with Overturned Aircraft Near Port-au-Prince (HH-CAW)

Port-au-Prince, HaitiTakeoff (climb)

On September 11, 2007, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration HH-CAW) operated by Caribintair was involved in an aviation accident near Port-au-Prince, Haiti during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A door improperly closed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Minutes after takeoff from Port-au-Prince Airport, a single-engine aircraft attempted an emergency landing 10 km north of the capital, overturned, and came to rest upside down. It was damaged beyond repair; all 9 occupants escaped with minor injuries. A door improperly closed is believed to be the cause.

Accident Details

Shortly after departing from Port-au-Prince Airport, the pilot of a single-engine aircraft was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The landing occurred approximately 10 kilometers north of the capital city. Upon touching down, the aircraft overturned and came to rest in an inverted position. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair. All nine occupants on board evacuated the wreckage and sustained only minor injuries.

Investigation

Investigators from the Haitian civil aviation authority examined the wreckage and determined the likely cause of the accident. Preliminary findings indicate that a door was improperly closed, which is believed to have led to the incident. No further details about the nature of the door issue or the exact sequence of events have been released.

Regulatory Action

In response to this accident and a previous occurrence within a 12-day period, the Haiti civil aviation authority decided to suspend the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of the operator involved. The suspension will remain in effect until further notice, pending a thorough review of the operator's safety practices.

Probable cause

A door improperly closed.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Sept 2007 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident near Port-au-Prince, Haiti?

Minutes after takeoff from Port-au-Prince Airport, a single-engine aircraft attempted an emergency landing 10 km north of the capital, overturned, and came to rest upside down. It was damaged beyond repair; all 9 occupants escaped with minor injuries. A door improperly closed is believed to be the cause.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Sept 2007 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Sept 2007 involved a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registration HH-CAW, operated by Caribintair, at Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A door improperly closed.