They say a picture is worth a thousand words. There are no words to describe the nightmarish war zone quality of the scene on the ground at the Santa Barbara crash site. Most of the photographs can not be shown–it is just that horrifying and heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.
updated
View large photo at Jetphotos.net
Contact photographer Nigel Steele
What: Conviasa Aerospatiale ATR-42-300 en route from Puerto Ordaz to Porlamor Venezuela
Where: Puerto Ordaz
When: Sep 13 2010
Who: 51 aboard, 15 fatalities, 36 passengers and crew survived
Why: After takeoff while 10 miles from Manuel Piar International Airport, the crew experienced “control problems” requiring a return to the airport. Between the Caribbean island of Margarita and Puerto Ordaz, the plane crashed. 36 survivors were recovered from the wreckage and taken to hospitals and the remains of 2 were recovered.
As of Sept 18, the number of dead has risen to 17. Conviasa is suspending flights for two weeks for safety assessments.
The pilot was Conviasa Ramiro Cardenas.
The plane crashed in the Sidor Steel Mill junkyard/storage area amid heaps and barrels of unused steel.
While attempting an emergency landing, the plane became entangled with electrical wires and crashed.
Current reports indicate 23 survivors. We will be updating as we hear news.
Bolivar State Governor Francisco Rangel Gomez gas opened the following number for family members:
0800-BOLIVAR / 0800-2654827 for more information on passengers
Preliminary survivor list Unconfirmed
RUTACA Airlines flight 5R-310 had to divert and make an emergency landing in Barcelona, Venezuela, on February 14th.
The Boeing 737-200 plane heading from Manuel Carlos Piar Guayana Airport to Simon Bolivar International Airport, Venezuela, was diverted after the crew needed to shut down one of the engines.
The plane landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
On 23-MAY-2013 two engineers were being held hostage. A Venezuelan police MBB Bo 105M a survey chopper was on a surveillance mission as part of “a new anti-crime initiative”. The chopper was engaged to surveil a car with two engineers being held hostage when the helicopter crashed on a road in El Junquito in the suburb of Caracas.
Everyone aboard the helicopter died in the crash: pilot, co-pilot, a technician and two soldiers of the Police Tactical Group.
Before the accident, there was low visibility produced by a early morning fog; afterwards, heavy clouds of smoke blanketed the area.
Police successfully rescued the kidnapped engineers. The kidnapper did not survive.
What: Venezuelan Army Mil Mi-17V5
Where: Felipe/Sub Tenient Nestor Arias Airport, Venezuela
When: May 18, 2012
Who: 5 aboard, 4 fatalities, 1 injured
Why: During training in San Felipe, the army chopper crashed, killing pilot Col. Oscar Martinez, First Lieutenant Ramses Bolivar and Ribas Daniel flight attendants, first sergeant, and Chon Billonto Ribas, Sergeant.
Alberto Castillo was not aboard but was injured in the crash, and taken to Hospital Central de San Felipe.
The personnel were members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces.
Reports are that the tail rotor failed (broke?), and the aircraft crashed to the ground from a height of ten yards.
A special commission of inquiry was ordered by Defense Minister Henry Rangel Silva.
What: Aserca Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 en route from Caracas to Santo Domingo
Where: Santo Domingo
When: Mar 7th 2012, 8:45
Who: 125 passengers and 6 crew
Why: While landing at Santo Domingo in Tachira, the plane struck a number of cows which were on the runway.
The cows were killed. Luis Anaya, owner of the pasture which is located north of the runway, was arrested. The fence was cut.
The plane was damaged and had to be towed off the runway.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Popular Power for Air and Water Transport (Mpptaa) launched an investigation.
Disgruntled passengers had already waited two hours to get on the plane and had no idea what was going on when the plane struck cows. Flight attendants immediately opened the emergency door to evacuate the jet. Passengers were frightened, shoving, trying to get out and jump down the slides that opened instantly.
The crew directed passengers to walk to the terminal.
What: KAVOK British Aerospace 3212 Jetstream 32 en route to Venezuela
Where: Metropolitano Airport, Venezuela
When: 19 JUL 2009
Who: 2
Why: On landing at Metropolitano, the plane suffered substantial damage.
