Cubana de Aviación Boeing 737 Crash in Havana – May 18, 2018

On May 18, 2018, a Boeing 737-201, leased by Cubana de Aviación from the Mexican company Damojh, crashed shortly after taking off from Havana’s José Martí International Airport. The aircraft was bound for Holguín, a city in eastern Cuba, carrying 113 people onboard, including passengers and crew. Tragically, 112 of the occupants perished in the crash, with only one survivor. This incident became the deadliest aviation disaster in Cuba in nearly 30 years, raising significant concerns about aircraft safety and operational practices.

Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash

The flight took off at approximately 12:08 PM local time from runway 06 at José Martí International Airport, en route to Holguín, located about 670 kilometers from Havana. Just minutes after takeoff, the aircraft encountered difficulties and rapidly descended, crashing into a field near the Santiago de Las Vegas district, approximately 12 kilometers from the airport. Eyewitnesses described seeing the aircraft lose altitude shortly after lifting off and then plummeting into the ground.

A large fire erupted as a result of the crash, and emergency services responded quickly. Despite the rapid intervention, only one passenger, a 19-year-old Cuban woman, survived the impact, suffering critical injuries. The remaining 112 individuals, including six Mexican crew members and 107 passengers, were killed instantly. This disaster marked a devastating event in Cuba’s aviation history, bringing a wave of national mourning and international attention to the incident.

Investigation and Key Findings

The investigation into the crash was led by Cuban authorities, with assistance from Mexican aviation experts, Boeing representatives, and other international agencies. The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) were recovered from the wreckage and were analyzed to determine the cause of the crash.

One of the key findings of the investigation was that the crash resulted from errors related to weight and balance calculations. Cuban authorities stated that the crew had miscalculated the aircraft’s weight and center of gravity, which are critical for ensuring stable flight during takeoff and ascent. Incorrect weight and balance distribution can severely affect an aircraft’s ability to maintain altitude, especially during the critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and initial climb.

In this case, the miscalculations led to the aircraft becoming unstable shortly after takeoff, causing it to enter a dangerous nose-high attitude. This loss of control resulted in an aerodynamic stall, where the aircraft’s wings could no longer generate enough lift to keep it airborne, leading to the rapid descent and subsequent crash.

Damojh’s Role and Aircraft Maintenance

The aircraft involved in the accident, a Boeing 737-201, had been leased to Cubana de Aviación by the Mexican charter airline Damojh, also known as Global Air. Damojh had operated the aircraft for several years, and it had been involved in previous safety-related incidents, raising concerns about the maintenance and operational practices of the company.

Following the crash, Mexican aviation authorities launched an investigation into Damojh’s operations. It was revealed that the airline had faced several complaints and warnings regarding its maintenance standards and safety procedures. Former pilots and employees of Damojh claimed that the company had a history of poor maintenance practices, including inadequate repairs and lack of attention to safety protocols. These concerns raised further questions about the overall airworthiness of the aircraft at the time of the accident.

Cuba’s Civil Aviation Institute (IACC) also looked into Damojh’s maintenance records for the aircraft and examined whether previous safety violations contributed to the crash. Although weight and balance miscalculations were deemed the primary cause, the poor safety culture and maintenance issues within Damojh likely played a role in allowing such errors to occur.

The Role of Crew Error and Safety Procedures

The investigation underscored the critical role that proper training and adherence to safety procedures play in aviation safety. It was found that the crew, all of whom were Mexican nationals employed by Damojh, had failed to ensure the correct weight and balance calculations before takeoff. While such calculations are a routine part of flight preparation, any deviation from established guidelines can have catastrophic consequences.

Weight and balance checks are vital for maintaining an aircraft’s stability and performance. Pilots must accurately calculate the distribution of passengers, cargo, and fuel to ensure the aircraft’s center of gravity remains within safe limits. If the center of gravity shifts too far forward or aft, the aircraft’s handling characteristics can change dramatically, making it difficult to control.

In this case, the investigation concluded that the crew’s failure to properly calculate the weight and balance was a significant contributing factor to the crash. Additionally, the lack of proper oversight by Damojh and Cubana de Aviación further compounded the situation, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and training standards.

Legal and Regulatory Consequences

In the aftermath of the crash, Cuban authorities grounded all remaining aircraft leased from Damojh, effectively suspending the company’s operations in Cuba. Mexican aviation regulators also launched an investigation into Damojh’s safety record, which led to the suspension of the airline’s operating license pending the outcome of the investigation.

The crash also prompted a broader discussion about the leasing practices of national airlines like Cubana de Aviación, which rely heavily on foreign companies to supplement their aging fleets. The reliance on low-cost leasing arrangements with smaller, less-regulated airlines like Damojh exposed serious vulnerabilities in Cuba’s aviation system.

Impact on Aviation Safety and Reforms

The crash of Cubana de Aviación’s leased Boeing 737 marked a turning point for aviation safety in Cuba. The tragedy led to widespread calls for reforms in the country’s civil aviation regulations, particularly concerning the leasing of aircraft from foreign operators. The Cuban government vowed to implement stricter oversight of airline operations, with a focus on ensuring that all leased aircraft met international safety standards.

Internationally, the crash served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards, especially for smaller, lesser-known airlines that may not have the same level of regulatory scrutiny as larger carriers. The crash also highlighted the need for greater transparency in aircraft leasing arrangements, with airlines expected to perform thorough due diligence on the safety and maintenance records of their leasing partners.

Conclusion

The Cubana de Aviación crash in Havana was a tragic reminder of the importance of adherence to aviation safety protocols. The miscalculation of the aircraft’s weight and balance, combined with potential deficiencies in maintenance and oversight, led to a catastrophic loss of life. The incident served as a catalyst for improving aviation safety practices in Cuba and underscored the global need for consistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly when it comes to aircraft leasing and crew training.

The loss of 112 lives in this accident left an indelible mark on Cuba’s aviation industry, and the lessons learned from the investigation will continue to influence safety reforms both in Cuba and around the world. The sole survivor of the crash stands as a testament to the fragility of life in the face of such devastating events, and the incident remains a poignant chapter in the history of modern aviation.