What happened
A scheduled flight operating between San Carlos and Managua, which had previously visited Bluefields and Managua, departed San Carlos at 10:49 local time. The aircraft was carrying a total of 16 occupants, consisting of 13 passengers and a crew of 3. Shortly after departure, the captain communicated via radio transmitters located in a nearby town, but no further contact was established with the ground.
At approximately 11:18 local time, the aircraft struck the side of Concepción Volcano at an altitude of 2,650 feet. The impact resulted in 16 fatalities. Evidence from the wreckage and the altimeter indicated that the plane was executing a sharp left-hand ascending turn at the moment of impact. At this time, the aircraft was flying on a magnetic heading of 170°, which represented a deviation of 127° from its intended course of 297°. The flight was also operating at an altitude 350 feet below the pilot's reported cruising level of 3,000 feet.
Witnesses on the ground reported that weather conditions were generally clear, with fog only obscuring the summit of the volcano above 3,200 feet. Observers noted that the aircraft appeared to be maintaining its proper heading toward Managua just prior to the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash suggested that the aircraft underwent an unusual flight profile characterized by a sharp bank followed by rapid descent and then a sudden climb. This sequence of maneuvers indicated that mechanical failure involving the engines, propellers, or flight controls likely caused a loss of control. Due to the intense fire and the total destruction of the wreckage at the site, investigators were unable to determine the specific component that malfunctioned.