Aircraft crash in Gulf of Fonseca during diversion

21 fatalities • Punta de Amapala, Salvador • Flight

A charter flight carrying 18 passengers crashed into the Gulf of Fonseca following an attempted diversion due to adverse weather conditions.

What happened

A charter operation traveling from Veracruz to Managua, which included a scheduled stop in San Salvador, ended in tragedy when the aircraft went down near the coast. The flight was transporting 18 Mexican actors at the time of the accident. During the approach to San Salvador-Ilopango Airport, the crew encountered severe weather that prevented a successful landing, necessitating an immediate go-around.

Following the missed approach, the captain elected to divert the flight to a coastal airfield. Approximately several dozen minutes after the decision to divert, the aircraft impacted the water in the Gulf of Fonseca, roughly 300 meters from Punta de Amapala. The accident resulted in 21 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the crash determined that the aircraft experienced a total loss of power during the flight. The primary factor contributing to the accident was the failure of both engines resulting from fuel exhaustion.

Probable cause

The aircraft lost control after both engines ceased functioning because the fuel supply was depleted.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1975-08-03 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Punta de Amapala, Salvador?

A charter flight carrying 18 passengers crashed into the Gulf of Fonseca following an attempted diversion due to adverse weather conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 1975-08-03 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 21 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1975-08-03 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration 412, operated by Nicaraguayan Air Force - Fuerza Aérea - Ejercito de Nicaragua, at Punta de Amapala, Salvador.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft lost control after both engines ceased functioning because the fuel supply was depleted.

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