Venezuelan Flight Crashes in Andes with 46 Aboard

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Flight 518 en route this week from the Venezuelan city of Merida and bound for Simon Bolivar International Airport close to Caracas disappeared off of the radar about 30 minutes into the flight.

The twin engine turboprop ATR 42-300, carrying 43 passengers and three crew members, was later discovered in an area called the Los Conejos plateau within the Sierra La Culata National Park, officials said. It was assumed that the plane had crashed after witness accounts told of a "thunderous noise" heard in the Venezuelan Andes.

Rescue crews were dispatched to the mountainous region of Collado del Condor, where local residents had reported the roaring noise. Accessibility is difficult, and an air search had been called off earlier due to poor visibility and fog. It was clear upon finding the plane that there would be no survivors.

"The impact was direct," said local firefighter Jhonny Paz to Venezuelan reporters. "The aircraft is practically pulverized."

Added Antonio Rivero, Venezuela’s civil defense chief, "This plane was found completely wrecked, smashed against the face of one of the mountains."

The plane was owned by Venezuelan airline Santa Barbara, and reports indicated that the 20-year-old aircraft had passed recent inspections. Jorge Alvarez, president of Santa Barbara airlines, told the press that he pilot was experienced and had worked for the Santa Barbara airlines for eight years, and had gotten additional training for flying in the Andes.

"I have to believe the pilot was certainly both competent and well-suited [for this flight]," said Alvarez to reporters.

Relatives and friends of the dead have gathered at the Simon Bolivar International Airport, where they had expected to meet the flight. Psychologists are meeting with the families.

"We join in the profound pain of all the relatives of our passengers and co-workers," said the Santa Barbara airlines in a release. It pledged to cooperate fully in an investigation.

The flight left Merida on time, in clear weather, but had not responded to air traffic controllers about 30 minutes into the almost two hour flight.

Experts in the area explained that patches of fog are common at higher altitudes in the mountainous region, and flying conditions can suddenly change. Pilots flying out of the Merida airport need specialized training to learn how to make steep ascents out of the mountains surrounding the city. In addition, flights are not allowed to leave after dark because visibility is so poor.

The pilot had not sent out a distress signal, and officials say there is no known cause for the crash.