The flight took off from
Canaima Airport in Canaima to the Caribbean Island of
Isla Margarita with a refueling stop in
Ciudad Bolívar. The aircraft was carrying 20 passengers and 4 crew members, piloted by Captain Ángel López and co-piloted by Captain Walter Manríquez.
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Shortly after taking off from
Tomás de Heres Airport, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and the crew attempted to return to the airport.
Witnesses recalled that one engines appeared to be on fire.[1] The aircraft crashed into a large tree and split into two then exploded on impact, with debris raining down on the shantytown of Abobo. One of the wings came off the main body and crashed onto homes. All 20 passengers and 4 crew members were killed in the crash. Firefighters were rushed onto the scene and rescue services were immediately deployed to help the injured. At least 3 people were injured, identified as a mother and two of her children, whose all suffered 80% burn on their bodies. One person on the ground was killed during the impact.
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