Aircraft crash in El Yunque National Park

8 fatalities • Mt Pico del Este, Puerto Rico • Flight

An aircraft crashed into a wooded area in Puerto Rico during an attempted return to base following a radio communication failure.

What happened

A flight departing from Roosevelt Roads NAS for Homestead AFB, Florida, ended in a fatal accident within the El Yanquue National Park. Shortly after the departure, the crew experienced a loss of radio communication capabilities. In response to this technical issue, the decision was made to abort the mission and return to the original departure airfield for an emergency landing.

While the aircraft was maintaining an altitude of 3,400 feet, it encountered conditions of low visibility. During this phase of flight, the aircraft type (unspecified) impacted treetops and crashed into a forested region on the slope of Pico del Este. Following the failure of the plane to arrive at its destination, search and rescue operations were initiated. The wreckage was eventually located approximately 12 km west of Ceiba one day after the disappearance.

Findings

The accident resulted in eight fatalities among the crew members. The investigation indicates that the flight was navigating through poor visibility at the time of the impact.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck terrain while attempting to return to its departure point following a radio communication failure during low-visibility conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1968-12-14 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident near Mt Pico del Este, Puerto Rico?

An aircraft crashed into a wooded area in Puerto Rico during an attempted return to base following a radio communication failure.

Were there any fatalities in the 1968-12-14 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1968-12-14 involved a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, registration 51-2667, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Mt Pico del Este, Puerto Rico.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck terrain while attempting to return to its departure point following a radio communication failure during low-visibility conditions.

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