2 fatalities

Aircraft disappearance near Oranjestad-Reina Beatrix Airport (HK-1282)

Oranjestad, Dutch AntillesTakeoff (climb)

On September 24, 1976, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration HK-1282) operated by Aerosucre Colombia was involved in an aviation accident near Oranjestad, Dutch Antilles during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the accident remains undetermined due to the lack of wreckage or survivors. 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

An aircraft disappeared into the sea shortly after departing from Aruba, resulting in the loss of both crew members.

What happened

Shortly after departing from Oranjestad-Reina Beatrix Airport, an aircraft entered a climb phase before disappearing into the ocean. The exact nature of the event remains undetermined as the plane crashed into the sea under unknown circumstances.

Following the disappearance, search and rescue operations were launched to locate the wreckage and the occupants. Despite these efforts, the mission was eventually terminated after several days when no evidence of the aircraft or its passengers could be located. The incident resulted in two fatalities, as both members of the crew are presumed lost.

Findings

No specific cause for the crash has been established because no trace of the aircraft or the crew was recovered during the search operations.

Probable cause

The cause of the accident remains undetermined due to the lack of wreckage or survivors.