Date: 5th November 2010
Location: Guasimal, Sancti SpÃritus, Cuba
Aircraft: ATR 72-212, registration CU-T1549
Flight Number: 883
Operator: Aerocaribbean
Flight Route: Santiago de Cuba (Cuba) to Havana (Cuba)
Passengers: 61
Crew: 7
Summary of Events
On 5th November 2010, Aerocaribbean Flight 883, an ATR 72-212, tragically crashed in a mountainous area near Guasimal, Sancti SpÃritus, in central Cuba. The aircraft, which was on a scheduled domestic flight from Santiago de Cuba to Havana, encountered severe weather conditions due to the effects of Hurricane Tomas, which was passing near Cuba at the time. All 68 people on board, including 61 passengers and seven crew members, were killed in the crash.
Shortly before the crash, the flight crew reported an emergency, citing a loss of control of the aircraft. Despite the crew’s attempts to regain control, the turboprop plunged into the mountainous terrain, breaking apart upon impact. The accident is considered one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Cuban history.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft involved in the accident was an ATR 72-212, a twin-engine turboprop manufactured by ATR, a European aircraft manufacturer known for its regional aircraft. The ATR 72 is commonly used for short-haul flights and is known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The aircraft, registration CU-T1549, had been in service with Aerocaribbean, a subsidiary of Cuba’s national airline Cubana de Aviación, for several years. At the time of the crash, the ATR 72 had accumulated thousands of flight hours and was considered well-maintained by the airline.
The flight crew consisted of two pilots, both of whom were experienced and had significant flight time on the ATR 72 type. The captain had over 8,000 flight hours, with the majority of those hours flown on the ATR 72. The first officer also had several thousand hours of flight experience. Both pilots had undergone regular training, including emergency procedure training, and were familiar with the route between Santiago de Cuba and Havana.
Sequence of Events
Aerocaribbean Flight 883 departed from Santiago de Cuba’s Antonio Maceo International Airport in the late afternoon, bound for Havana’s José Martà International Airport. The flight initially proceeded without incident, despite the presence of Hurricane Tomas, which was affecting the weather in the region.
As the flight entered central Cuba, it encountered increasingly severe weather conditions, including heavy turbulence, high winds, and rain, as the outer bands of the hurricane swept over the island. At approximately 17:42 local time, the crew radioed air traffic control, reporting that they were experiencing difficulties in controlling the aircraft. The crew indicated that they were losing control due to the extreme weather, and moments later, communication was lost.
Witnesses on the ground reported seeing the aircraft flying erratically before it disappeared from view. The turboprop crashed into a mountainous area near the village of Guasimal, in the Sancti SpÃritus province. The impact caused the aircraft to break apart, and there was no fire at the crash site, likely due to the rainy conditions and the destruction of the fuel tanks on impact.
Rescue teams were dispatched to the crash site, but due to the remote location and poor weather conditions, it took several hours to reach the wreckage. All 68 people on board were confirmed dead, with the remains of the aircraft scattered across the rugged terrain.
Weather Conditions
The weather in the region at the time of the crash was heavily influenced by Hurricane Tomas, which had recently passed through the Caribbean. Although the eye of the storm was not directly over Cuba, the outer bands of the hurricane were affecting the island, particularly in central Cuba, where heavy rainfall, strong winds, and turbulence were reported.
Hurricanes pose a significant risk to aviation, especially for smaller aircraft like turboprops, which can be more susceptible to turbulence and wind shear. In the case of Flight 883, the aircraft likely encountered severe turbulence and possibly wind shear, which could have caused the loss of control reported by the crew. The adverse weather, combined with the challenges of flying through mountainous terrain, created extremely hazardous conditions for the flight.
Investigation and Analysis
The investigation into the crash of Aerocaribbean Flight 883 was led by the Cuban Civil Aviation Authority (IACC), with assistance from ATR, the aircraft manufacturer, and international aviation safety experts. The investigation focused on several key areas, including the weather conditions, the aircraft’s performance, and the actions of the crew in response to the emergency.
Weather Impact: The investigation quickly determined that the weather played a significant role in the crash. The crew was flying through the outer bands of Hurricane Tomas, and the severe turbulence, high winds, and rain likely contributed to the loss of control. The investigation looked into whether the crew had received adequate weather information before departure and during the flight. It is believed that the weather briefing provided to the crew included warnings about Hurricane Tomas, but the extent of the storm’s impact may not have been fully appreciated.
Loss of Control: The most critical aspect of the investigation was the loss of control reported by the crew shortly before the crash. The aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) were recovered from the crash site, providing valuable information about the final moments of the flight. The FDR indicated that the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and possibly wind shear, which led to a sudden loss of altitude and control. Despite the crew’s attempts to stabilise the aircraft, they were unable to recover before the crash.
Aircraft Condition: The ATR 72-212 involved in the crash was relatively modern and had been well-maintained by Aerocaribbean. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-existing issues with the aircraft that could have contributed to the crash. However, the turboprop’s performance in extreme weather conditions was analysed to determine whether it was vulnerable to the turbulence and wind shear encountered in the hurricane’s outer bands.
Conclusions
The crash of Aerocaribbean Flight 883 was determined to be primarily caused by the severe weather conditions associated with Hurricane Tomas. The extreme turbulence and wind shear experienced by the aircraft likely led to the loss of control, and the crew was unable to recover the aircraft before it crashed into the mountainous terrain. While the aircraft was well-maintained and the crew was experienced, the intensity of the weather and the challenging terrain created insurmountable challenges for the flight.
The investigation concluded that the weather briefing provided to the crew had warned of potential turbulence and adverse weather associated with the hurricane. However, the extent of the turbulence encountered may have been greater than anticipated, and the crew’s ability to respond to the loss of control was severely hampered by the weather conditions.
The crash of Flight 883 is a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather to aviation, particularly for turboprop aircraft, which are more vulnerable to turbulence than larger jets. The incident also highlighted the importance of thorough weather assessments and decision-making when flying in regions affected by hurricanes or severe storms.
Recommendations
Based on the findings from the investigation, the following recommendations have been made to improve aviation safety in similar conditions:
1. Enhanced Weather Monitoring and Forecasting: Airlines and aviation authorities should improve the monitoring and forecasting of severe weather, particularly in regions affected by hurricanes or tropical storms. Real-time weather data should be made available to flight crews, and updates should be provided throughout the flight.
2. Improved Crew Training for Severe Weather: Flight crews should receive enhanced training in handling severe weather conditions, including turbulence and wind shear. This training should include simulations of extreme weather scenarios, particularly for turboprop aircraft operating in regions prone to hurricanes and storms.
3. Flight Path Diversion Procedures: Airlines should review their flight path diversion procedures to ensure that flight crews are empowered to divert or delay flights when extreme weather is present. In the case of hurricanes or severe storms, alternative flight paths or holding patterns should be considered to avoid flying through dangerous weather systems.
Safety Lessons and Industry Impact
The crash of Aerocaribbean Flight 883 had a profound impact on the aviation industry, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America, where hurricanes are a frequent threat. The incident highlighted the risks associated with flying in severe weather and underscored the importance of real-time weather monitoring and crew preparedness. Airlines operating in hurricane-prone regions have since improved their weather forecasting systems and crew training programs to better equip pilots to handle adverse conditions.
The loss of all 68 people on board was a devastating reminder of the fragility of flight in the face of extreme weather events. The lessons learned from this tragedy have led to improvements in aviation safety protocols, ensuring that future flights are better prepared to navigate the challenges posed by hurricanes and severe storms.
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