Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 12 July 1980
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-3
Owner/operator: Unknown
Location: Port-au-Prince Airport (PAP) –
ÿ Haiti
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants:
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Category: Accident
On July 12, 1980, a DC-3 aircraft departed Port-au-Prince with an unknown destination and attempted to land in darkness without communication with air traffic control. The pilot rolled the aircraft onto its back and burned while approaching the runway. Three occupants were found dead, one in the cockpit, two in the back, and the aircraft was loaded with marijuana.On July 12, 1980, a DC-3 aircraft departed Port-au-Prince with an unknown destination and attempted to land in darkness without communication with air traffic control. The pilot rolled the aircraft onto its back and burned while approaching the runway. Three occupants were found dead, one in the cockpit, two in the back, and the aircraft was loaded with marijuana.
Description
The DC-3 had been in Port-au-Prince earlier and departed on July 12, 1980 with an unknown destination. That night around 21:15 the pilot attempted to land in the dark without having been in contact with air traffic control. The plane was not on a flight plan, was not expected and the pilot made no radio calls. The DC-3 rolled on its back and burned while making a low left base to runway 27 in the dark. There were 3 occupants found dead in the debris, one was in the cockpit, two in the back. The aircraft was loaded with marijuana.
Primary Cause
Lack of communication with air traffic control and attempting to land in darkness without authorization.Lack of communication with air traffic control and attempting to land in darkness without authorization.Share on:
