Aviation Accident: Four-Engine Aircraft Crashes Offshore After In-Flight Explosion (CU-T1201)

Incident Overview and Timeline A four-engine aircraft departed Bridgetown-Grantley Adams Airport at 1715LT on a scheduled flight to Havana via Kingston, Jamaica. Nine minutes after departure, the captain declared an emergency and informed air traffic control of an explosion on board. The aircraft was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly afterward, it entered a right turn, lost altitude, and plunged into the sea approximately 8 km offshore. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 73 occupants were killed. Among the fatalities were 24 members of the Cuban National Fencing Team. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that an explosive device had been placed in the rear part of the cabin and exploded during initial climb. The explosion caused severe damage to the aircraft's control systems. The terrorist act was claimed by the Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations, an anti-Castro organization, with Luis Posada Carriles at its head.