Preliminary Report: Venezuelan Caravan loses power

Cessna 208B Caravan, Arecuna, Venezuela, March 5, 2006–A Venezuelan-registered Caravan, YV-1149C, crashed during a forced landing after reportedly losing power. The airplane was owned and operated as an air taxi by Servicios Aeronauticos Sucre. The pilot and copilot were seriously injured, but the 11 passengers were not injured. The flight originated at Polamar, destined for Canaima. Twenty miles out, at 10,000 feet, the engine lost power without warning, and the pilot attempted to land at a jungle airstrip. The airplane nosed over after crossing a ditch. Venezuela’s Instituto Nacional de Aviacion Civil (INAC) is investigating the accident.