Nueva Gerona – Havana
Flight / Schedule
Nueva Gerona – Havana
Aircraft
Antonov AN-24Registration
CU-T876
MSN
67302403
Year of Manufacture
1966
Operator
Cubana de AviaciónDate
May 14, 1973 at 04:03 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Havana-José Martí (Rancho Boyeros) La Habana
Region
Central America • Cuba
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On May 14, 1973 at 04:03 PM, Nueva Gerona – Havana experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-24, operated by Cubana de Aviación, with the event recorded near Havana-José Martí (Rancho Boyeros) La Habana.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
21 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 18 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 14.3%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 17, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to Havana-José Martí-Rancho Boyeros Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed, three passengers were killed and 18 other occupants were injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration CU-T876, MSN 67302403, year of manufacture 1966.
Fatalities
Total
3
Crew
0
Passengers
3
Other
0
Crash Summary
On final approach to Havana-José Martí-Rancho Boyeros Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed, three passengers were killed and 18 other occupants were injured.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
17
Estimated Survivors
18
Fatality Rate
14.3%
Known people on board: 21
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Nueva Gerona – Havana
Operator
Cubana de AviaciónFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Central America • Cuba
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Aeromarine Airways
Aeromarine 75
En route from Key West to Havana, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing in the sea, some 32 km north of Havana. Waves were about 10 to 15 feet high and the aircraft named 'Columbus' was filled by water. Four passengers were drowned while all five other occupants were rescued by the crew of the ferry ship HM Flagler. Crew: C. W. Miller, pilot, H. Thompson, mechanic. Passengers: Edwin F. Atkins, Edwin F. Atkins Jr. David Atkins, Grace MacDonald.
Pan American World Airways - PAA
Fokker F10
Shortly after takeoff from a muddy field, while climbing, the aircraft hit a telephone line and crashed in a field. A passenger and a crew member were killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft named 'Christopher Columbus' was destroyed.
Cubana de Aviación
Ford 4
On approach to Santiago de Cuba, the pilots encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. In rain falls, the three engine aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located near Palma Soriano, north of Santiago. Both pilots and two passengers were killed. First accident involving Cubana, the national carrier of Cuba, since its creation in 1929. Crew: Torres Navarro, pilot, Emeterio Vorilla, copilot.
United States Army Air Forces - USAAF
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Crashed in unknown circumstances near the Camagüey Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all Chinese crew were unhurt.
Pan American World Airways - PAA
Sikorsky S-42
At about 1318LT, the pilot taxied to the take-off position. The weather was clear and the ceiling unlimited with a wind estimated to be 20 knots from approximately 100 degree. The water was choppy with no ground swells. With a gradual opening of the throttles to 33 1/2 inches of manifold pressure, the plane appeared to go on the step normally and was making approximately 75 knots. The captain then requested an increase in manifold pressure from 33 1/2 inches to 35 inches and upon attaining a speed estimated as between 78 and 80 knots, the plane left the surface of the water. Captain Williams stated that as the plane rose into the air to a height of 10 or 12 feet, he relaxed back pressure slightly, in order to gain speed, whereupon the plane seemed to want to go back on the water so he pulled back on the yoke. When it became obvious to him that the plane was going to go back on the water anyway, he dropped the nose quickly to "flatten out." After striking, bow first, the plane left the water in a slightly nose-high attitude, rose higher than previously, then returned to the water at a much steeper angle. The third time, the plane rose out of control to a height of approximately 25 feet, and in a steeper angle of climb than previously. It then nosed down at a sharp angle and struck the water violently. The nose of the plane struck the water with such force as to cause the hull to fracture and completely separate at a point just aft of the pilot's compartment. The after portion of the plane, which included passenger compartments A, B, C, and D, pitched forward and came to rest in a nearly inverted position with the forward portion fully submerged. Seventeen passengers were killed while all 14 other occupants were rescued.
Cubana de Aviación
Douglas DC-3
On touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the right, hit a wooden perimeter fence, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to fog.