Aerolineas Comerciales Nacionales - ALCON

Douglas DC-6

Shortly after takeoff from San Juan Airport, the crew informed ground that the engine n°4 caught fire and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Following a normal approach, the airplane landed properly but after a course of 950 meters, it went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured.

Douglas DC-7

Following a normal landing at Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport, the crew completed a 180 turn followed by a backtrack procedure to join the apron. Doing so, the visibility was reduced by dust which had been raised during the engine reverse operation. The crew failed to realize the aircraft departed the runway to the right when the right wing struck two parked tractors. Fuel tanks were punctured and a fire broke out. The crew immediately stopped the airplane and all 33 occupants evacuated the cabin. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.