Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 20 July 1999
Aircraft Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Owner/operator: La Coste¤a
Registration Number: YN-CED
Location: 50 km W of Bluefields –
ÿ Nicaragua
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16
Component Affected: Garmin 100 GPSGarmin 100 GPS
Category: Accident
A Grand Caravan YN-CED aircraft, equipped with a Garmin 100 GPS, was involved in a flight to Bluefields from Managua. Prior to the flight, the GPS was removed due to its intended use in a helicopter operated by La Coste¤a. The aircraft descended prematurely toward a remote hillside of Cerro Silva, approximately 2000 feet, during VFR conditions with low clouds and rain. The safety altitude was 2700 feet.A Grand Caravan YN-CED aircraft, equipped with a Garmin 100 GPS, was involved in a flight to Bluefields from Managua. Prior to the flight, the GPS was removed due to its intended use in a helicopter operated by La Coste¤a. The aircraft descended prematurely toward a remote hillside of Cerro Silva, approximately 2000 feet, during VFR conditions with low clouds and rain. The safety altitude was 2700 feet.
Description
The Grand Caravan YN-CED was equipped with a Garmin 100 GPS. At some time prior to the flight the GPS was removed because it was to be used in a helicopter operated by La Coste¤a. The airplane departed Managua (MGA) on a flight to Bluefields (BEF). The descent for Bluefields was started prematurely. The Caravan flew into a remote hillside of the Cerro Silva at approx. the 2000 feet level. the aircraft was on a VFR flight in weather conditions including low clouds and rain. Safety altitude in the area was 2700 feet.
Primary Cause
GPS removal for helicopter use.GPS removal for helicopter use.Share on:
