ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-188A Electra HR-SAW Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA)
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Status:
Date:Thursday 8 January 1981
Type:Silhouette image of generic L188 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Lockheed L-188A Electra
Operator:SAHSA - Servicio Aéreo de Honduras SA
Registration: HR-SAW
MSN: 1018
First flight: 1958
Crew:Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:1,5 km (0.9 mls) W of Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA) (   Guatemala)
Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:Ferry/positioning
Departure airport:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA/MGGT), Guatemala
Destination airport:Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport (TGU/MHTG), Honduras
Narrative:
After the plane arrived at La Aurora with one engine shut down and one of the electrical generators malfunctioning, the crew decided to ferry the aircraft to Honduras for repairs. The passengers deplaned and the Electra took off for a three-engined ferry flight.
Shortly after take off, the pilot reported a total loss of hydraulic pressure and difficulty to control the plane. The Electra began to return to La Aurora, but the plane lost altitude until it crashed into some houses 1 mile west of the airport.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: A second electrical generator was damaged during the take off roll, causing a lack of power to keep the hydraulic pressure above minimums. It was also concluded that the flying controls were mistrimmed.

Sources:
» Mario Overall
» NTSB recommendation
» Prensa Libre Newspaper
» Aeronautica


Follow-up / safety actions

NTSB issued 1 Safety Recommendation

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Photos

photo of Lockheed-L-188A-Electra-HR-SAW
accident date: 08-01-1981
type: Lockheed L-188A Electra
registration: HR-SAW
 

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 Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport to Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport as the crow flies is 359 km (225 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

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.
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