22 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident near coastline following takeoff (CU-T819)

Santiago de Cuba, CubaTakeoff (climb)

On March 27, 1962, an Ilyushin II-14 (registration CU-T819) operated by Cubana de Aviación was involved in an aviation accident near Santiago de Cuba, Cuba during takeoff. 22 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced a loss of control during its initial climb following takeoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into the sea shortly after departing runway 19, resulting in the loss of all 22 people on board.

What happened

Shortly after departing from runway 19, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The incident occurred during the climb phase, approximately one minute after the plane had left the ground. The vessel impacted the ocean at a distance of less than one kilometer from the shoreline.

The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were 22 fatalities recorded among the occupants, with no survivors reported from the flight.

Findings

Following the loss of control during the initial ascent, the aircraft struck the water near the coast. The primary factor in the accident was the loss of control during the climb phase.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a loss of control during its initial climb following takeoff.