Santa Cruz – Trinidad

On September 6, 2011 at 06:50 PM, Santa Cruz – Trinidad experienced a crash involving Swearingen SA227 Metro III, operated by Aerocon - Aero Comercial Oriente Norte, with the event recorded near Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Beni.

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.

9 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 88.9%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

Following an uneventful flight from Santa Cruz-El Trompillo Airport, the crew started the descent to Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport runway 14. On approach, the crew encountered poor visibility due to smoke coming from forest fires. In a visibility estimated between 300 and 500 feet, the aircraft descended too low, impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located 8 km short of runway. The wreckage was found 3 days later. A passenger was slightly injured while 8 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration CP-2548, MSN BC-768B, year of manufacture 1992.