Linea Aeropostal Venezolana Flight 253 (November 1956)
| Passengers | 18 |
|---|---|
| Crew | 7 |
| Fatalities | 25 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 0 |
Crash
Flight 253 was flying through a
Ten Americans were among those killed in the crash.[1] St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Charlie Peete, his wife, and their three small children were among the victims. Peete was traveling to Venezuela in order to play winter ball there.
Aftermath and cause
The probable cause of the crash was described thus: "The instrument flight training manuals show that the Linea Aeropostal Venezolana has approved a procedure for entering Maiquetia in semi-IFR conditions. This procedure consists (of) maintaining a minimum flight level of 10,000 feet as far as the station (Miq 292.5), then turning north over this point and continuing on a 360º heading for 4 minutes, followed by a standard let-down to 1,200 feet above sea level until contact is established, and a return to the aerodrome under VFR. It is obvious that the pilot-in-command did not fully comply with this procedure, and, after accumulating errors in estimating his speed, endeavoured to make a direct approach which proved fatal because his altitude at the time of his last report was insufficient to cross the Avila mountain range, against which the impact occurred."[3]
References
- ^ "Ten Americans dead in crash". The Victoria Advocate. Victoria, TX. AP. 1956-11-28. p. 1. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
- ^ "Recover all bodies from Caracas wreck". Lewiston Evening Journal. Lewiston-Auburn, ME. AP. 1956-11-28. p. 9. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
- Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 2014-07-23.
External links