FlightFinder
Check my flight
5 fatalities

Nighttime Mountain Strike Near Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (YV-160CP)

Guatemala City-La Aurora, GuatemalaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 19, 1997, an IAI 1124 Westwind (registration YV-160CP) operated by Inversiones Venezuela was involved in an aviation accident near Guatemala City-La Aurora, Guatemala during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the MDA for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft struck a mountain slope 14.4 km short of runway at Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport at night, disintegrating on impact and killing all five occupants.

Incident Overview During a nighttime descent to Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, the aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located 14.4 km short of the runway. The crew did not recognize that the aircraft's altitude was insufficient for the terrain ahead. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact, and all five occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The investigation determined the probable cause was controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) for unknown reasons. No specific aircraft type, registration, operator, or date was provided in the source material.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Feb 1997 IAI 1124 Westwind accident near Guatemala City-La Aurora, Guatemala?

Aircraft struck a mountain slope 14.4 km short of runway at Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport at night, disintegrating on impact and killing all five occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Feb 1997 IAI 1124 Westwind accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Feb 1997 involved an IAI 1124 Westwind, registration YV-160CP, operated by Inversiones Venezuela, at Guatemala City-La Aurora, Guatemala.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the MDA for unknown reasons.

More accident analyses