Flight Summary
On Monday, 25 November 2024, Aero Caribe S.A. operated a scheduled commercial passenger flight. The aircraft, a Cessna U-206-G registered as TI-GER, departed from Tobías Bolaños International Airport (MRPV) at approximately 11:00 local time (17:00 UTC) with a pilot and one passenger on board. The intended route was to Barra de Tortuguero Airstrip (MRBT) to pick up four passengers and return to MRPV. The aircraft was fueled with 60 gallons of gasoline, 30 gallons per tank, providing about four hours of endurance.
The flight to Tortuguero followed the planned route under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), passing checkpoints UNIVE and MRRF at a cruising altitude of 7,500 feet. The aircraft landed at MRBT at 11:28 local time.
Return Flight and Accident
After boarding the four passengers at Tortuguero, the aircraft departed at approximately 12:00 local time for the return leg to MRPV. According to the flight plan, the aircraft was to climb to 8,500 feet to point MRRF, then descend to 6,500 feet. Near checkpoint UNIVE, the pilot communicated with COCO control. The controller informed the pilot that operations at Pavas (MRPV) were closed due to weather for fixed-wing aircraft, and Juan Santamaría International Airport was open only for IFR operations. The pilot reported being in visual conditions. COCO control provided instructions to fly toward Juan Santamaría.
At 18:30:10 UTC (12:30 local time), approximately 11 minutes after initial communication with COCO control, communication and radar contact were lost. The Flight Information Center (FIC) was notified by the Radar Control Center at 12:40 local time. The aircraft's ELT did not activate.
Search and Rescue
After the alert, several aircraft overflew the area. At approximately 13:30 local time, an aircraft spotted the Cessna 206 impacted against terrain. The location was Cerro Pico Blanco at coordinates 09°52'22" N, 084°09'11" W. Rescue teams including Cruz Roja and Bomberos attempted to reach the site but were hindered by difficult access and fog. Two local mountaineers found the aircraft at 20:29 local time (02:29 UTC on 26 November). They discovered one survivor and notified rescue teams. The survivor received first aid and was evacuated to Hospital San Juan de Dios.
The accident occurred during daylight hours in adverse weather conditions.
Injuries and Damage
Of the six occupants (one pilot and five passengers), five sustained fatal injuries and one sustained serious injuries. The passenger who accompanied the pilot from the initial departure was a holder of a commercial pilot license.
The aircraft sustained major damage, being destroyed in all structural stations. Compression damage was noted in the fuselage, passenger cabin, cockpit, tail, and both wings. The engine separated from its mount and was ejected while still delivering power, coming to rest 50 meters from the main wreckage.