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7 fatalities

Panamanian Presidential Aircraft Mountain Collision (FAP-205)

Coclecito, PanamaFlight

On July 31, 1981, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration FAP-205) operated by Panamanian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Panameña was involved in an aviation accident near Coclecito, Panama in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain while flying in low clouds and foggy conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered FAP-205
Aircraft registered FAP-205. Photo: Zakumi2010ful / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A twin-engine aircraft carrying President Omar Efraín Torrijos and six others struck a mountainside in poor weather after departing Penonomé, killing all seven occupants.

Flight Details and Accident Sequence A twin-engine airplane departed Río Hato Airport at 1044 local time and landed at Penonomé at 1055 local time. After a 45-minute stop, the aircraft took off northbound for Coclecito. While cruising at 3,400 feet in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. ## Casualties All seven occupants were killed in the accident. Among the fatalities was General Omar Efraín Torrijos, President of the Republic of Panama. ## Official Findings The investigation concluded that the accident was believed to be the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain while flying in low clouds and foggy conditions.

Probable cause

It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain while flying in low clouds and foggy conditions.
Controlled flight into terrain

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Same operator

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