Caracas – Maracaibo – Miami

On March 16, 1969 at 02:00 PM, Caracas – Maracaibo – Miami experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-9, operated by VIASA - Venezolana Internacional de Aviacion SA, with the event recorded near Maracaibo-La Chinita Zulia.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a city crash site.

84 people were known to be on board, 155 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 184.5%.

Crew on board: 10, crew fatalities: 10, passengers on board: 74, passenger fatalities: 74, other fatalities: 71.

The listed crash cause is other causes. After takeoff from runway 04L at Maracaibo-Grano de Oro Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 150 feet, the airplane struck power cables. It lost speed and height then crashed in a huge explosion into the district of La Trinidad located near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 84 occupants were killed as well as 71 people on the ground. More than 20 buildings were destroyed and more than 100 people were injured, some of them seriously.

Aircraft reference details include registration YV-C-AVD, MSN 47243/448, year of manufacture 1969.