What happened
A cargo flight traveling from Miami to Guatemala City ended in a fatal accident when the four-engine airplane struck a soccer field located several kilometers before reaching the runway. The aircraft was operating a transport mission involving live animals, specifically horses and cows, alongside a crew of three.
During the final approach phase, the aircraft experienced significant instability, characterized by pitching motions followed by a sudden 30-degree nose-down pitch. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were three fatalities among the crew members, and all animals being transported were also killed.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the livestock within the cabin were not adequately secured for transport. As the aircraft approached the runway, the movement of the cows and horses caused a significant shift in the center of gravity. This displacement of weight rendered the aircraft uncontrollable during the critical final stages of flight.