Fatal Aircraft Crash in El Yunque National Park (51-2667)

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft departed from Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station (NAS) on a routine flight to Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) in south Florida. Shortly after takeoff, the radio communication systems apparently failed. In response to the communication loss, the crew decided to return to their departure point for a safe landing. The aircraft was cruising in poor visibility at an altitude of 3,400 feet when it struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area on the slope of Pico del Este, which is 1,036 meters high, located within El Yunque National Park. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, or operator. ## Search and Rescue Operations Because the aircraft failed to return to the departure point, search and rescue (SAR) operations were initiated. The wreckage was discovered a day later, located approximately 12 kilometers west of Ceiba. All eight crew members on board were killed in the accident.