McDonnell Douglas MD-82 crash, Aug 16, 2005 (160 killed)
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 accident on August 16, 2005 near Machiques, Zulia, Venezuela with 160 fatalities. Cause: The aircraft stalled at high altitude...
- Date: August 16, 2005
- Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas MD-82
- Location: Machiques, Zulia, Venezuela
- Fatalities: 160
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The aircraft stalled at high altitude after operating outside its performance limits. The crew failed to recognize and correct the stall, with poor situational awareness, weak communication and inadequate flight planning as contributing factors.
A McDonnell Douglas MD-82 operated by West Caribbean Airways on flight YH708 from Panama City to Fort-de-France climbed to FL330 while its airspeed steadily decayed until the aircraft stalled. The crew reported both engines had flamed out during the descent, and the aircraft broke up on impact in a swampy area near Machiques. All 160 people on board were killed.