Investigation Summary
The flight was approaching Puerto Plata from the southeast. The crew initially executed a VOR approach for runway 26 but intended to break off for a visual circling approach to land on runway 08. During this maneuver, the crew reported being on the base leg at a distance of 9 nautical miles from the runway. However, the prescribed maximum distance for the circling approach at this airport was only 4 nautical miles. By extending the pattern so far from the field in darkness and poor weather, the crew flew the aircraft directly into the 2,500-foot (850-meter) peak of Isabel de Torres. The aircraft was carrying nearly full fuel for its onward leg to Havana, resulting in a massive explosion upon impact.
Final Conclusions
The accident was attributed to pilot error. The flight crew failed to properly monitor the aircraft's descent rate and position relative to terrain during a nighttime approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). By significantly exceeding the maximum allowed distance for the circling approach pattern, the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude and collided with the mountain.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
VOR Approach
A ground-based radio navigation system used by the crew to align with the airport before breaking off for the visual circling maneuver.
Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)
The aircraft lacked or the crew failed to respond to terrain proximity alerts while flying below the minimum safe altitude in IMC.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was an Ilyushin Il-18D manufactured in 1967 (MSN 187010301).
- 02This specific aircraft (CU-T1270) was used in the filming of the 1986 Soviet disaster film 'Razmakh krylyev' (Wingspan).
- 03The 34 fatalities consisted of 16 Cubans (including 6 crew), 16 Dominicans, and 2 Italians.
- 04The victims included chess coach Adelquis Remon, doctor Cristobal Merette Luna, and the entire chess team from San Francisco de Macoris.
- 05The crash site was located approximately 14 km west of the Puerto Plata airport threshold.
- 06The maximum prescribed distance for the circling approach was 4 nautical miles, but the crew extended to 9 nautical miles.
- 07Rescue efforts were hampered and temporarily suspended due to severe weather conditions on the mountain.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Radar Infrastructure Criticism
Local media and aviation experts criticized the lack of a radar system at Puerto Plata airport, which might have allowed controllers to warn the crew of their proximity to the mountain.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the wikidata coordinate.