5 fatalities

Fatal aircraft crash in open field following technical issues

Masatepe, NicaraguaFlight

On January 7, 1984, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) operated by Sandinist Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Sandinista was involved in an aviation accident near Masatepe, Nicaragua in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced technical malfunctions during flight which led to a crash in an open field. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into an open field after experiencing mechanical difficulties during flight, resulting in the deaths of all onboard personnel.

What happened

During a recent flight, an unidentified aircraft encountered significant technical complications while airborne. As these in-flight problems progressed, the aircraft descended into an open field. The impact of the crash resulted in five fatalities, with no survivors reported among the crew.

Findings

Preliminary information indicates that the sequence of events was initiated by in-flight technical problems occurring prior to the impact. The exact nature of the mechanical failure has not been detailed, but the loss of control or stability led directly to the descent into the field.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced technical malfunctions during flight which led to a crash in an open field.