Managua – Tegucigalpa – San Salvador – Guatemala City – Mexico City – New Orleans

Shortly after takeoff from runway 29 at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked left and crashed in flames in a field located 2,4 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and 15 people were killed, among them two crew members. Four occupants survived the crash.

Flight / Schedule

Managua – Tegucigalpa – San Salvador – Guatemala City – Mexico City – New Orleans

Registration

YS-09C

MSN

82

Year of Manufacture

1955

Date

March 5, 1959 at 01:35 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino-Las Mercedes Managua City District

Region

Central America • Nicaragua

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On March 5, 1959 at 01:35 PM, Managua – Tegucigalpa – San Salvador – Guatemala City – Mexico City – New Orleans experienced a crash involving Vickers Viscount, operated by TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos, with the event recorded near Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino-Las Mercedes Managua City District.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

19 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 78.9%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 15, passenger fatalities: 13, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from runway 29 at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked left and crashed in flames in a field located 2,4 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and 15 people were killed, among them two crew members. Four occupants survived the crash.

Aircraft reference details include registration YS-09C, MSN 82, year of manufacture 1955.

Fatalities

Total

15

Crew

2

Passengers

13

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after takeoff from runway 29 at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked left and crashed in flames in a field located 2,4 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and 15 people were killed, among them two crew members. Four occupants survived the crash.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

4

Passengers On Board

15

Estimated Survivors

4

Fatality Rate

78.9%

Known people on board: 19

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Managua – Tegucigalpa – San Salvador – Guatemala City – Mexico City – New Orleans

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Central America • Nicaragua

Aircraft Details

Registration

YS-09C

MSN

82

Year of Manufacture

1955

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