Accident Details
The aircraft departed Mérida-Alberto Carnevalli Airport at 1505 local time on a charter flight to Maracaibo, with an intermediate stop planned at Lagunillas. After takeoff, while approaching El Callejon Pass at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the crew realized they would not be able to clear the pass and decided to alter the route. Over Ejido, the captain executed a 180-degree turn, changed the heading to 030°, and continued northeast. A few minutes later, while cruising in clouds at an altitude of 13,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of La Culata Peak. The aircraft was destroyed on impact. The wreckage was located several hours later, and all four occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was flying the aircraft at insufficient altitude over an area apparently unfamiliar to the pilot.