FlightFinder
Check my flight
2 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Destroyed in Mountain Collision Near Tecpán (TG-AQA)

Tecpán, GuatemalaFlight

On December 15, 1953, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration TG-AQA) operated by Aviateca was involved in an aviation accident near Tecpán, Guatemala in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew was flying at an insufficient altitude to clear the mountainous area for an unknown reason. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 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

A twin-engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt. Tecpán at 8,000 feet, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. The investigation noted the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude for the mountainous terrain.

Incident Overview and Location Details During a cruise phase at an altitude of 8,000 feet, a twin-engine aircraft collided with the slope of Mt. Tecpán. The impact occurred approximately 3.5 kilometers northwest of the city of Tecpán. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and both crew members on board were killed. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, or the exact date of the incident. ## Investigation Findings The investigation determined that the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude to safely clear the mountainous area. The specific reason for this insufficient altitude was not identified in the source material. The collision with the mountain slope resulted in the total loss of the aircraft and the fatalities of the two crew members.

Probable cause

The crew was flying at an insufficient altitude to clear the mountainous area for an unknown reason.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses