Boeing 737 Crash at Jose Marti International Airport, Havana – May 18, 2018

On May 18, 2018, a Boeing 737-201 Advanced, operated by Cubana de Aviación and leased from Mexican airline Global Air, crashed shortly after take-off from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. The domestic flight was bound for Holguin, a city in eastern Cuba. Of the 113 people on board, 112 perished in the accident, leaving one sole survivor.

Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash

Flight DMJ 972 took off at approximately 12:08 PM local time, destined for Holguin. Minutes after take-off, the aircraft, struggling to gain altitude, banked sharply to the right and crashed into an agricultural field near Santiago de las Vegas, about 12 miles from the airport. The plane disintegrated on impact, resulting in a catastrophic fire.

According to initial reports, eyewitnesses observed the aircraft behaving erratically soon after take-off, and several witnesses described seeing flames and black smoke before the aircraft struck the ground. Emergency responders arrived quickly but found the wreckage engulfed in flames. Only one of the 113 occupants survived— a woman who was critically injured but later stabilized.

Investigation and Key Findings

The Cuban Institute of Civil Aeronautics, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States and Mexico’s General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The aircraft’s black boxes (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) were recovered and analyzed as part of the investigative process.

The investigation revealed several contributing factors:

1. Crew Error: The most significant contributing factor was determined to be an error in the calculation of the aircraft’s weight and balance. The crew incorrectly configured the take-off weight, which led to improper aircraft performance during take-off. This miscalculation caused the aircraft to struggle to maintain stable flight, ultimately leading to its loss of control.

2. Aircraft Maintenance Issues: The Boeing 737-201 Advanced involved in the accident was manufactured in 1979 and had been in service for nearly 40 years. Questions arose regarding the aircraft’s airworthiness and maintenance history. Global Air had been previously flagged for maintenance-related issues by other aviation authorities. There were concerns that the airline’s maintenance procedures did not meet industry standards, and investigations suggested that the aircraft may have been operated beyond its optimal service life.

3. Age of Aircraft: The Boeing 737-201 was one of the older variants of the 737 family and had seen extensive use. Although age alone is not typically a cause for crashes, older aircraft require stringent maintenance protocols to ensure their continued airworthiness. In this case, it was determined that the age of the aircraft may have compounded other issues, such as mechanical reliability and performance inconsistencies.

4. Crew Proficiency: The crew’s training and proficiency were also examined. It was reported that the flight crew had limited experience with the particular aircraft model, and this lack of familiarity may have contributed to their mishandling of the aircraft’s weight and balance. This incident underscored the need for standardized training and simulator experience, particularly for legacy aircraft models still in commercial service.

Aftermath and Legal Ramifications

The crash of Flight DMJ 972 had far-reaching implications for the aviation industry in Cuba and for Global Air, the Mexican company that owned the aircraft. Following the accident, Cuban authorities grounded all aircraft leased from Global Air pending further inspections. Global Air’s operations were scrutinized, and in June 2018, the Mexican government suspended the airline’s operating license, citing safety concerns.

The crash also led to legal challenges, as families of the victims sought accountability and compensation. The sole survivor, a young woman, endured significant physical trauma and required extensive medical treatment. The crash was the deadliest air disaster in Cuba since 1989 and led to an outpouring of grief across the country.

Lessons Learned and Safety Recommendations

The tragedy of Flight DMJ 972 underscored several critical areas for improvement in aviation safety:

1. Importance of Accurate Weight and Balance Calculations: One of the most preventable errors that can occur in aviation is incorrect weight and balance calculations. Proper calculation is essential for ensuring the aircraft’s stability during flight, and this incident highlighted the devastating consequences of such miscalculations. Airlines must place greater emphasis on thorough pre-flight planning and ensure that crews have access to the necessary tools and training to perform these calculations accurately.

2. Enhanced Oversight of Aircraft Maintenance: The age and maintenance history of the aircraft raised concerns about the adequacy of oversight by both the operator and regulatory authorities. Regular and rigorous inspections of aging aircraft are critical for identifying and addressing mechanical wear, particularly in legacy fleets. Safety regulators must ensure that airlines adhere to industry standards for maintenance and overhaul.

3. Crew Training and Experience: The lack of sufficient experience with the aircraft type may have contributed to the crew’s difficulties during the critical take-off phase. Airlines must ensure that flight crews receive specialized training on the specific aircraft they are operating, particularly when handling older models with unique performance characteristics. Simulator training, where pilots can practice dealing with emergency scenarios, can help improve decision-making in critical situations.

4. Global Standards for Aircraft Leasing: The accident also brought to light the need for stricter global standards for aircraft leasing agreements. International leasing companies often lease older aircraft to smaller airlines in developing countries, and these transactions may lack the same level of oversight as those involving larger carriers. More stringent global standards for leased aircraft could help improve safety across all regions.

Conclusion

The crash of the Boeing 737 leased to Cubana de Aviación remains a tragic chapter in Cuba’s aviation history. The accident demonstrated the crucial importance of accurate weight and balance calculations, proper aircraft maintenance, and comprehensive crew training. In the wake of this disaster, the aviation industry was reminded of the ongoing need for rigorous safety protocols, particularly when operating older aircraft. The lessons learned from this incident will continue to shape global aviation safety standards, ensuring that similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.