1977-12-24: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (N9164Y) — Valley Air Service — Willemstad-Hato, Dutch Antilles

10 fatalitiesWillemstad-Hato, Dutch AntillesLanding (descent or approach)

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into the Caribbean Sea during its approach to Willemstad-Hato Airport, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

On a scheduled flight originating from Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King Airport, a twin engine airplane was performing an approach toward Willemstad-Hato Airport. During this final phase of flight, the aircraft's nose pitched downward, leading to a collision with the surface of the Caribbean Sea a few kilometers away from the shore.

The impact occurred offshore, and the wreckage of the aircraft was completely destroyed. There were 10 fatalities recorded among the occupants of the plane, with no survivors reported from the crash site.

Findings

Initial reports indicate that the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude characterized by a downward pitch of the nose prior to hitting the water.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced an uncontrolled descent and nosed into the sea during its approach to the airport.