Aircraft crash near San Cristóbal-Paramillo Airport

3 fatalities • Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga, Venezuela • Landing (descent or approach)

A private flight departing from San Cristóbal-Paramillo Airport crashed into wooded terrain during its approach to Charallave, resulting in three fatalities.

What happened

A private flight consisting of one pilot and two passengers departed from San Cristólar-Paramillo Airport, bound for Charallave. During the flight, the pilot was cleared for a VOR-DME approach toward runway 10. At approximately 23:19 local time, the aircraft was directed into a holding pattern after another aircraft on approach declared an emergency and was granted priority.

Shortly after entering the hold, the aircraft impacted trees in a hilly, forested area and subsequently caught fire. The wreckage was located the next morning at a site roughly 5.5 km northeast of the departure airport. The aircraft, a twin engine model, was completely destroyed upon impact. There were three fatalities among the occupants.

Findings

  • The flight was operating in darkness with visibility estimated at 10 km.
  • The aircraft struck trees while maneuvering in a holding pattern following a change in approach priority.

Probable cause

The aircraft crashed into wooded terrain while performing a holding pattern following an emergency priority instruction.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2008-07-02 Piper PA-31 Cheyenne accident near Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga, Venezuela?

A private flight departing from San Cristóbal-Paramillo Airport crashed into wooded terrain during its approach to Charallave, resulting in three fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 2008-07-02 Piper PA-31 Cheyenne accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2008-07-02 involved a Piper PA-31 Cheyenne, registration YV-1165, operated by Dovler Mangelli Fonialli, at Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga, Venezuela.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft crashed into wooded terrain while performing a holding pattern following an emergency priority instruction.

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