Belize Air International

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

The four engine airplane departed Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport at 1700LT on a cargo flight to Miami-Intl, Florida, carrying eight passengers, four crew members and a load consisting of 18 racing horses. After takeoff, during initial climb, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain sufficient altitude. The crew elected to add power but the aircraft failed to gain height. The captain attempted an emergency landing on a road when the aircraft struck power lines and crashed in the city, few km from the airport. The aircraft as well as several houses and buildings were destroyed. The captain was rescued while 11 other occupants as well as 54 people on the ground were killed. 50 other people were wounded, some seriously.