Mérida – Caracas

On February 21, 2008 at 05:00 PM, Mérida – Caracas experienced a crash involving ATR42-300, operated by Santa Barbara Airlines, with the event recorded near Mérida Mérida.

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

46 people were known to be on board, 46 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 43, passenger fatalities: 43, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. After takeoff from Mérida-Alberto Carnevalli Airport runway 25, the aircraft climbed in clouds when it collided with a mountain located 10 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 46 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 4,100 metres.

Aircraft reference details include registration YV1449, MSN 28, year of manufacture 1986.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 38.9133°, -6.3573°.