Accident Details
On a special flight from Havana Airport to Valencia-Arturo Michelena Airport, a three-engine aircraft carried 12 passengers and 10 crew members. The flight was en route to pick up Cuban rescuers who had been dispatched to Venezuela following heavy floods that had killed more than 10,000 people. After a holding circuit of about 40 minutes, the crew was cleared to descend from 8,000 feet to 4,000 feet. While on final approach, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt San Luis, located 12 km short of the runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 22 occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be controlled flight into terrain after the crew started the descent prematurely and continued below the minimum safe altitude until the aircraft impacted terrain. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to the night.