Narrative:
The DC-3 was being operated on a San Pedro Sula-Copan Ruinas VFR return flight. The aircraft landed at Copan Ruinas at 10:33 following a 1 hour and 38 minute flight. To take on extra fuel, the aircraft had to be flown to Nueva Ocotepeque first; the DC-3 took off at 11:13 for this 18-minute flight. The aircraft, however, failed to arrive at its destination. It appeared that the plane had crashed into the Pena Blanca Mountain.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by the pilot's attempt to fly over mountainous terrain by visual reference to the ground under weather conditions severely restricting visibility ahead of the aircraft, which forced him to descend to a dangerous altitude."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 6 January 1959 |
| Time: | 11:20 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47A-80-DL (DC-3) |
| Operator: | SAHSA - Servicio Aéreo de Honduras SA |
| Registration: | XH-SAA |
| MSN: | 19667 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 15840 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Pena Blanca Mt. ( Guatemala)
|
| Phase: | Unknown (UNK) |
| Nature: | Int'l Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Copán Airport (RUY/MHRU), Honduras |
| Nueva Ocotepeque Airport (MHSC), Guatemala |
The DC-3 was being operated on a San Pedro Sula-Copan Ruinas VFR return flight. The aircraft landed at Copan Ruinas at 10:33 following a 1 hour and 38 minute flight. To take on extra fuel, the aircraft had to be flown to Nueva Ocotepeque first; the DC-3 took off at 11:13 for this 18-minute flight. The aircraft, however, failed to arrive at its destination. It appeared that the plane had crashed into the Pena Blanca Mountain.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by the pilot's attempt to fly over mountainous terrain by visual reference to the ground under weather conditions severely restricting visibility ahead of the aircraft, which forced him to descend to a dangerous altitude."
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 62-AN/57 (51-52)Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Copán Airport to Nueva Ocotepeque Airport as the crow flies is 169 km (106 miles).
Distance from Copán Airport to Nueva Ocotepeque Airport as the crow flies is 169 km (106 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation