Belize City - San Pedro
Flight / Schedule
Belize City - San Pedro
Aircraft
Cessna 402Registration
N402BL
MSN
402B-0827
Year of Manufacture
1975
Operator
Tropic AirDate
April 1, 1991 at 03:10 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
San Pedro Belize
Region
Central America • Belize
Coordinates
17.9117°, -87.9682°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On April 1, 1991 at 03:10 PM, Belize City - San Pedro experienced a crash involving Cessna 402, operated by Tropic Air, with the event recorded near San Pedro Belize.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
8 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 7, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On approach to San Pedro Airport runway 06, the aircraft was number 2 for landing. A Cessna 207, V3-HER was ahead and had broadcast its intention to land. A Tropic Air Twin Otter, call sign Tango Alfa, on the ground, requested that N402BL go around to allow Tango Alfa to takeoff because the ramp was full. N402BL acknowledged and was seen making a left turn with wheels down. No further communication was heard from N402BL. The aircraft was seen flying very low with wheels down and flaps down in a southerly direction and as it crossed the shoreline south of the airstrip the aircraft made a sharp left turn and crashed into the sea about 200 yards from the beach at approximately 1500 hours. The aircraft struck nose first then righted itself and sank in water about five feet deep. There was no fire. Boats in the vicinity reached the accident site within a few minutes and reported that all eight occupants were dead inside the aircraft.
Aircraft reference details include registration N402BL, MSN 402B-0827, year of manufacture 1975.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 17.9117°, -87.9682°.
Fatalities
Total
8
Crew
1
Passengers
7
Other
0
Crash Summary
On approach to San Pedro Airport runway 06, the aircraft was number 2 for landing. A Cessna 207, V3-HER was ahead and had broadcast its intention to land. A Tropic Air Twin Otter, call sign Tango Alfa, on the ground, requested that N402BL go around to allow Tango Alfa to takeoff because the ramp was full. N402BL acknowledged and was seen making a left turn with wheels down. No further communication was heard from N402BL. The aircraft was seen flying very low with wheels down and flaps down in a southerly direction and as it crossed the shoreline south of the airstrip the aircraft made a sharp left turn and crashed into the sea about 200 yards from the beach at approximately 1500 hours. The aircraft struck nose first then righted itself and sank in water about five feet deep. There was no fire. Boats in the vicinity reached the accident site within a few minutes and reported that all eight occupants were dead inside the aircraft.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
7
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Belize City - San Pedro
Operator
Tropic AirFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Central America • Belize
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
The twin engine aircraft was completing an ambulance flight from Chetumal to Belize City, carrying one patient, one accompanist, two doctors and three crew members. As the airplane failed to arrive at Belize City Airport, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the seven occupants was found. It is believed the aircraft has crashed into the sea off the Belize coast.
TAN Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Nacionales de Honduras
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Shortly after takeoff from Belize City-Philip S. W. Goldson Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The airplane banked left, stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area located near the airfield. A crew member was killed while the second pilot was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was determined that at the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 500 pound over the MTOW, which probably contributed to the engine failure.
Sun Airlines
Cessna 402
Just after liftoff, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It nosed down and struck the runway surface with its propellers. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. The passenger was slightly injured while both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Jet Set Aviation
Cessna 402
On final approach to Allentown Airport, while on a night cargo flight, the twin engine airplane became unstable, went into a spin and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Private American
Cessna 402
The pilot departed Anchorage on a survey flight to Kantishna, taking part to a SAR mission after a helicopter was missing. On approach to Mt McKinley, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto a slope of the the mountain. The wreckage was found a day later and the pilot was killed.
Avia-Taxi
Cessna 402
The twin engine aircraft was returning to Paris-Le Bourget on a taxi flight, carrying nine industrialists based in Paris. Just passing over Alençon, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions with heavy snow falls and icing conditions. He informed ATC about technical problems, stated he was unable to maintain control and requested assistance to divert to the nearest airport. Less than a minute later, the airplane struck a tree and crashed in a field located just outside Le Pin-la-Garenne. The airplane was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed.