The 1977 Aviateca Convair 240 airplane crash was a scheduled Aviateca passenger flight that crashed near Guatemala City, Guatemala on April 27, 1977, killing all 28 on board. April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Guatemala. ... The Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, universally known as Convair, was the result of a 1943 merger between Consolidated Aircraft and Vultee Aircraft, resulting in a leading aircraft manufacturer of the United States. ... A restored Convair 240 in Western Air Lines livery, at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. ... Aviateca was the state airline of Guatemala, based in Guatemala City. ... Aviateca was the state airline of Guatemala, based in Guatemala City. ... Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Guatemala. ... April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ...

Final moments

The aircraft, a Convair 240, took off from La Aurora International Airport (GUA/MGGT) near Guatemala City, as scheduled. During the initial climb to cruise altitude the number one engine suffered a failure due to oil exhaustion. The crew was unable to feather the propeller and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in rough terrain. The plane was destroyed in the attempt, killing all 22 passengers and six crew on board. A restored Convair 240 in Western Air Lines livery, at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. ... La Aurora International Airport (IATA: GUA, ICAO: MGGT) serves Guatemala City, Guatemala and is located 6km south of Guatemala Citys centre. ...

Investigation

The Government of Guatemala initiated a full investigation. The results of this investigation are as follows:

The aircraft had undergone maintenance shortly before the flight. In order to perform this maintenance, it was necessary to disconnect a high-pressure oil hose from the engine cylinders. The investigation found that it had not been correctly reattached, thus starving the engine of oil.

References

Accident analysis by the Aviation Safety Network (includes picture of accident aircraft)