Managua–Bluefields–San Carlos Flight Crash into Concepción Volcano (AN-AEC)

Flight Details and Loss of Contact The aircraft was operating a route from Managua to Bluefields and San Carlos, then returning to Managua. It departed San Carlos for Managua at 1049LT with a crew of 3 and 13 passengers aboard. The captain provided this information directly over the aircraft's transmitters, as the radio station for point-to-point communication was located in the town, some distance from the landing field. The aircraft made no further contact after this transmission. ## Crash Circumstances The aircraft crashed into the side of Concepción Volcano at 1118LT at a height of 2,650 feet, killing all occupants. At the time of impact, the aircraft was performing a sharp ascending left curve at an altitude of 2,650 feet, according to the reading of the operating altimeter found at the accident site. It was on a magnetic heading of 1700, which was 127° off its original course of 297°, and 350 feet below its cruising level of 3,000 feet as reported by the pilot. ## Weather and Witness Accounts Witnesses stated that the weather was clear, with fog covering only the top of the volcano from 3,200 feet to its summit. A number of persons saw the aircraft flying on its normal heading to Managua shortly before the accident. The investigation noted that had the weather been unfavorable, the pilot could very well have taken the usual action of flying at an altitude above all obstructions on the route and would have reported such action. ## Official Findings According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft made a left turn toward the volcano, and there were indications of abnormal conditions when it banked sharply in descent then in rapid climb. This indicated that some trouble arose in the operation of the controls, propellers, or engines, which unexpectedly caused loss of control. It was impossible to ascertain the cause of this malfunctioning owing to the total destruction of the aircraft after impact and fire.