Aircraft crash near Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert Airport

1 fatality • Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert (Albrook AFB), Panama • Takeoff (climb)

A private twin-engine flight departing from Panama City ended in a fatal crash in hilly terrain shortly after takeoff.

What happened

A private flight operating a twin engine airplane departed from Runway 01 at Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, bound for David-Enrique Malek Airport. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot and one passenger at the time of the accident.

During the initial climb phase, the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude. This difficulty led to an uncontrolled descent into a region characterized by hills and dense vegetation. The plane impacted the ground approximately 1,100 short of runway 19. Following the impact, a significant fire broke out, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft.

Findings

The accident resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. The passenger on board was killed in the crash, while the pilot sustained serious injuries.

Probable cause

The aircraft failed to maintain sufficient altitude during takeoff, leading to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2023-11-24 Cessna 402 accident near Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert (Albrook AFB), Panama?

A private twin-engine flight departing from Panama City ended in a fatal crash in hilly terrain shortly after takeoff.

Were there any fatalities in the 2023-11-24 Cessna 402 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2023-11-24 involved a Cessna 402, registration N76MD, operated by Gabriel Antonio Novey, at Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert (Albrook AFB), Panama.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft failed to maintain sufficient altitude during takeoff, leading to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent impact.

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