11 fatalities

Training Flight Crashes into Houses Near Caracas Airport, Killing 11 (3556)

Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar, VenezuelaTakeoff (climb)

On November 4, 1980, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration 3556) operated by Venezuelan Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Venezolana was involved in an aviation accident near Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar, Venezuela during takeoff. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control during initial climb caused by an engine failure for undetermined reasons. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A local training flight at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport crashed shortly after takeoff, destroying the aircraft and five houses and killing all six occupants and five people on the ground.

Accident

A training flight operating locally from Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport suffered an accident shortly after takeoff. During the initial climb, the aircraft lost altitude and impacted several houses near the airfield. The collision resulted in the destruction of the airplane and five residential structures.

Fatalities

All six individuals aboard the aircraft, comprising the crew and passengers, were killed. Additionally, five people on the ground lost their lives. The total number of fatalities was 11.

Investigation

An official investigation was conducted into the accident. The aircraft was a training flight, but no further details about the type or registration were released. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the initial climb.

Probable Cause

The official findings determined that the probable cause was a loss of control during initial climb, which was caused by an engine failure for undetermined reasons.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Nov 1980 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident near Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar, Venezuela?

A local training flight at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport crashed shortly after takeoff, destroying the aircraft and five houses and killing all six occupants and five people on the ground.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Nov 1980 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 11 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Nov 1980 involved a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, registration 3556, operated by Venezuelan Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Venezolana, at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar, Venezuela.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of control during initial climb caused by an engine failure for undetermined reasons.