5 fatalities

Cable Strike During Night Climb Leads to Crash at San José-La Sabana Airport (TI-1073C)

San José-La Sabana, Costa RicaTakeoff (climb)

On June 6, 1970, a Cessna 402 (registration TI-1073C) operated by Aerovias del Valle was involved in an aviation accident near San José-La Sabana, Costa Rica during takeoff. 5 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Shortly after takeoff from San José-La Sabana Airport, an airplane struck power cables during initial climb and crashed in a wooded area 180 meters from the runway. Five occupants died, two were seriously injured, including the captain who succumbed months later.

Accident

An airplane operating at night struck power cables shortly after taking off from San José-La Sabana Airport. The collision occurred during the initial climb phase, and the aircraft subsequently crashed in a wooded area located 180 meters from the end of the runway.

Occupants and Injuries

The crew consisted of pilot Teodorico Zamora Zamora and copilot Rodrigo Céspedes Zamora. Passengers on board included Robert Scott Williams, José Joaquín Quesada Molina, Caferino Mata Obando, and Roberto Hurtado Guerra. The captain and a second occupant sustained serious injuries. Four other occupants were killed. A survivor later died from his injuries a few hours after the crash. The captain died approximately four months later, on 29 September 1970.