Incident Overview
A special flight operating from Managua to Panama City, carrying three civilian passengers and three crew members, was approaching San José, Costa Rica when it encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Thunderstorm activity and heavy rain reduced visibility significantly. During the approach, the airplane struck the slope of the Turrialba volcano, which has an elevation of 3,340 meters. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in the destruction of the airplane. All six individuals on board—three passengers and three crew members—were killed.
Circumstances
The flight was conducted under special operational conditions. While on approach to San José, weather conditions worsened, with reports of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The poor visibility likely hindered the crew's ability to see the terrain. The airplane collided with the volcano's slope, leading to a catastrophic breakup. No further details about the aircraft type, registration, or operator are available from the investigation source.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). No additional causal factors or contributing elements were identified in the source material.
Aftermath
The accident resulted in the complete loss of the aircraft and fatalities for all six occupants. The investigation concluded without further elaboration on flight recorders, wreckage examination, or other specifics.