San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami
Flight / Schedule
San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami
Aircraft
Douglas DC-6Registration
N84BL
MSN
43739
Year of Manufacture
1952
Operator
Aerial Transit CompanyDate
May 5, 1990 at 02:46 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
City
Crash Location
Guatemala City-La Aurora Guatemala
Region
Central America • Guatemala
Coordinates
14.5822°, -90.5290°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On May 5, 1990 at 02:46 PM, San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-6, operated by Aerial Transit Company, with the event recorded near Guatemala City-La Aurora Guatemala.
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a city crash site.
3 people were known to be on board, 27 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 900.0%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 24.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Salvador to Miami with an intermediate stop in Guatemala City, carrying a load of clothes and vegetables. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when control was lost and the airplane crashed in a residential area located about 8 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. All three crew members as well as 24 people on the ground were killed and few others were seriously injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration N84BL, MSN 43739, year of manufacture 1952.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 14.5822°, -90.5290°.
Fatalities
Total
27
Crew
3
Passengers
0
Other
24
Crash Summary
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Salvador to Miami with an intermediate stop in Guatemala City, carrying a load of clothes and vegetables. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when control was lost and the airplane crashed in a residential area located about 8 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. All three crew members as well as 24 people on the ground were killed and few others were seriously injured.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
900.0%
Known people on board: 3
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami
Operator
Aerial Transit CompanyFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
City
Region / Country
Central America • Guatemala
Aircraft Details
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