What happened
During an approach to Porlamar-Del Caribe-General en Jefe Santiago Mariño Airport, the flight crew encountered intense rainfall and significantly reduced visibility. Following instructions from Air Traffic Control, the crew initiated a diversion to Cumaná Airport. While performing a turn to adjust the aircraft's heading, the four-engine airplane collided with the summit of La Gloria, located roughly 10 km northeast of the destination airport.
The impact occurred near the peak, with wreckage discovered eight meters below the summit level. The accident resulted in 47 fatalities among the occupants. The copilot sustained serious injuries and was transported to a medical facility in Caracas; however, he later succumbed to his wounds 17 days after the event.
Findings
Investigators suggested that the crew likely experienced a loss of spatial orientation immediately before hitting the terrain. This disorientation may have been triggered by instrument malfunctions caused by static electricity buildup during the heavy storm. At the time of the incident, the effects of Hurricane Alma were present in the region, with the storm positioned approximately 100 km east of Margarita Island.