Venezuelan Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Venezolana

Cessna 750 Citation X

The crew was engaged in a local test flight at La Carlota-General Francisco de Miranda AFB in Caracas. During the takeoff roll, a tire burst on the right main gear that collapsed and was torn off. The airplane veered off runway to the left then the left main gear collapsed as well and the airplane came to rest on its belly with the nose gear still extended. There were no injuries among the crew.

Short 360

While descending to the altitude of 9,500 feet in poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Perico located about 25 km from the Maracay-El Libertador Air Force Base. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 30 occupants were killed, among them few civilians.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height and crashed onto several houses located near the airfield. The aircraft and five houses were destroyed. All six occupants as well as five people on the ground were killed.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

While descending to Lajes Airport, the crew encountered very poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to the night, low clouds and heavy rain falls. On short final, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the top of a hill located 1,500 metres short of runway 16 threshold and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all 68 occupants were killed, among them members of the Venezuelan choir Orfeón Universitario who were flying to Barcelona, Spain, to take part to an international festival. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with heavy rain falls and winds gusting to 30 knots after the hurricane 'Emmy' passed over the Azores Islands that day.

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

In unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a mountainous area located in the region of Urochiche. All five occupants were killed.