Dominicana de Aviación

Boeing 727-200

Twenty minutes after takeoff from San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marin Airport, while in cruising altitude, a steward noticed smoke in the lavatory and informed the crew accordingly. In the meantime, the crew noticed a fire alarm in the cockpit, declared an emergency and became number one for landing at Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport. Following a normal approach and landing, the crew vacated the runway and parked the aircraft at gate A6. While the passengers was disemmarking, smoke spread in the cabin and fire erupted, destroying the airplane.

Douglas DC-9

Two minutes after takeoff from runway 16 at Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ATC that the right engine failed and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the left engine failed as well. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed into the Caribbean Sea about three km offshore. Few debris were floating on water and others sank by a depth of 300 meters. All 102 occupants were killed among them the Dominican boxer Carlos Teo Cruz, world lightweight champion as well as a large part of the Puerto Rico's National Women's Volleyball Team.

Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair

Shortly after takeoff from 12 at Miami-Intl Airport, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the crew reported engine problems and elected to return. He was cleared for an emergency landing on runway 27 and initiated a circuit when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion onto several buildings located about a mile short of runway 27. Few buildings and cars were destroyed. All four occupants on board the Carvair were killed as well as six people on the ground. 12 other people were injured, some of them seriously. It was later reported that white smoke was coming from the engine number two and black fumes from the engine number four.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Flight 402 departed Ciudad Trujillo on a cargo flight to Miami, Florida, with a crew of 2 aboard and no passengers. Following take-off from Runway 23 and at a height of approximately 150 ft the aircraft fell to the left of the runway, some 300 ft from the centre line and 200 to 300 ft short of the runway end. Both crew members were killed by the impact which occurred at approximately 1016 hours GMT. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Few minutes after its departure from Santa Cruz de Barahona Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to modify his route, diverting to Ciudad Trujillo, the capital city. While cruising about 20 km north of Ciudad Trujillo in low visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and crashed near Yamasá. All 32 occupants were killed, among them members of the baseball team of Santiago returning home.