What happened
During an approach to the Island of Margarita, a flight operating from Maiquet Bolivar Airport to Porlamar experienced significant mechanical issues. While in flight, the crew notified air traffic control of difficulties regarding the aircraft's hydraulic systems. In response to these complications, the crew began an emergency descent, aiming to reach an altitude of 3,000 feet, likely in an attempt to ditch the plane.
However, the aircraft subsequently lost control and impacted the ocean approximately 16 km west of Punta Arenas. The force of the impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, leaving only minimal debris floating on the surface of the water. The accident resulted in nine fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.
Findings
Preliminary details indicate that the flight was experiencing hydraulic problems prior to the loss of control. The sequence of events suggests that the descent intended to facilitate a controlled ditching was interrupted by the total loss of aircraft controllability.