What happened
During an approach to the Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, an aircraft engaged in a mission for USAID struck a mountain. The impact occurred approximately 27 km away from the destination airport. The collision resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and caused 10 fatalities among everyone on board.
Findings
Investigations into the accident indicate that the crew did not recognize that the aircraft had descended to an insufficient altitude during the approach phase. This failure to maintain proper vertical separation from terrain led to the fatal impact with the mountain.