September 1, 2008
A Venezuela cargo plane crashed in Ecuador's central Andes mountains shortly before it was to land, killing the three crew members on board, officials say.
The Boeing 737-200, operated by state-owned Venezuelan carrier Conviasa, lost contact with air traffic controllers five minutes before it was to land in the town of Latacunga, where it was scheduled to undergo maintenance, Ecuador's Civil Aviation Director General Jorge Zurita told reporters.
Zurita said the plane reported that it had begun preparing for descent and then lost contact with the control tower.
The wreckage with the bodies of the two Venezuelan pilots and a mechanic were found in a remote area 35km from Latacunga, said Diego Valencia, Red Cross chief in Quito.
Venezuelan Civil Protection director Luis Diaz said the plane with three Venezuelan crew members was "empty to receive maintenance."
It took off from Maiquetia, home to Venezuela's main international airport, en route to Latacunga, located about 90km south of Quito.
The cause of the crash has not been determined.
Weather was clear for the flight, Zurita said.
© 2008
AP
Accident details:
ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-291 YV102T Toacaso