On June 16, 2011, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration YV1394) operated by Transbanca (Transporte de Valores Bancarios) was involved in an aviation accident near Zaraza, Venezuela in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: During a flight of transport of values, in the phase of cruise, a smoke emergency appeared in the cockpit, that when not being able to be controlled, derived in a landing of emergency by precaution in a nonprepared field, which resulted without apparent… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine cargo aircraft made an emergency landing near Zaraza after smoke filled the cockpit. Both occupants escaped unharmed, but the aircraft was destroyed by fire. Investigation suggests an electrical failure.
Incident Overview
A twin-engine cargo aircraft, carrying one pilot and one passenger along with bank documents, departed Maracay on a flight to Puerto Ordaz. During cruise, the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit to air traffic control and decided to divert to the nearest airport. The aircraft subsequently attempted an emergency landing in an open field approximately 20 kilometers east of Zaraza.
Landing and Fire
After touchdown, the aircraft rolled for a few dozen meters before coming to rest and bursting into flames. Both occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by the fire.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that during the cruise phase of a transport of values flight, a smoke emergency appeared in the cockpit. Unable to control the smoke, the pilot conducted a precautionary emergency landing in a nonprepared field. The landing resulted in no apparent damage to the aircraft, but a fire later ignited, leading to the almost total destruction of the aircraft. The fire was very probably due to an electrical failure that originated the smoke.
Probable cause
During a flight of transport of values, in the phase of cruise, a smoke emergency appeared in the cockpit, that when not being able to be controlled, derived in a landing of emergency by precaution in a nonprepared field, which resulted without apparent damages to the aircraft, triggering later a fire and the almost total destruction of the same, due, very probably, to an electrical failure that originated the fire.