What happened
On November 3, 2022, a Beechcraft F3 33A, registration YV2052, was operating a general aviation flight from San Felipe (SVSP) to Charallave (SVCS). The aircraft was occupied by one pilot and carrying approximately 171 liters of fuel.
The flight proceeded normally until the aircraft entered the Caracas Approach (APP) airspace. At 15:52 UTC, the pilot contacted APP Tuy, reporting an altitude of 9,000 feet while crossing a cloud layer. The controller authorized an approach to runway 10 and provided meteorological information. Shortly after, the pilot reported a slight southward displacement to take advantage of a gap in the clouds.
During the descent, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and developing weather. At 15:56 UTC, another aircraft (YV548T) reported a TCAS alert indicating a 1,500-foot vertical separation from YV2052. The pilot of YV2052 requested that the other aircraft climb to ensure separation. At 16:00 UTC, the controller warned the crew of a developing Cumulonimbus (CB) cell to the west. The final radio contact occurred at 16:01 UTC, with the pilot reporting being 9 miles from the station.
Following several unsuccessful attempts to establish communication, emergency protocols were activated, including the declaration of INCERFA at 16:07 UTC and DETRESFA at 16:12 UTC. Subsequent search efforts located the wreckage in the mountainous Topo Ayala sector within El Ávila National Park. The aircraft had collided with the terrain, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and one fatality.