3 fatalities

Honduran Air Force Shoots Down Aircraft over Honduran Airspace (N49454)

Guarita, HondurasFlight

On March 10, 1987, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration N49454) operated by Aero Express - USA was involved in an aviation accident near Guarita, Honduras in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by the pilot of a Honduran Air Force fighter. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

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

An aircraft on a test flight from Guatemala City was shot down by a Honduran Air Force fighter while flying without clearance over Honduran airspace. All three occupants were killed. The registration was false.

Flight and Incident

At 0939 local time, the aircraft departed from Guatemala City Airport, reportedly for a test flight to El Estor. Shortly after takeoff, the crew informed air traffic control (ATC) that they wished to return to Guatemala City. This was the last radio contact with the flight. The aircraft proceeded eastward, and in the evening, it entered Honduran airspace without authorization. The crew failed to respond to ATC calls. While over Honduran territory, a Honduran Air Force fighter shot down the aircraft.

Crash and Aftermath

After being shot, the aircraft went out of control and entered a dive. It crashed on hilly, wooded terrain. All three occupants on board were killed. Honduran authorities suspected that the flight was involved in illegal smuggling. At the time of the accident, the aircraft displayed a false registration: HK-303.

Official Finding

The probable cause of the accident, as determined by the official investigation, was that the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Honduran Air Force fighter.