1978 Punta Mulatos Linea Aeropostal Venezolana HS-748 crash

The 1978 LAV HS 748 accident occurred on 3 March 1978 when Hawker Siddeley HS 748 YV-45C, of LAV (Línea Aeropostal Venezolana), crashed into the sea close to Caracas-Maiquetía Airport, Venezuela.^[1] All 46 on board were killed.^[1]

1978 LAV HS 748 accident

An HS 748, similar to the aircraft involved
Accident
Date	3 March 1978 (1978-03-03)
Summary	Crashed after take-off with instrument problem
Site	5.2 km (3.3 miles) off the coast of Punta Mulatos, Venezuela) 10.652°N 66.92°W / 10.652; -66.92
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Hawker Siddeley HS 748-283 Srs. 2A
Operator	LAV (Línea Aeropostal Venezolana)
Registration	YV-45C
Flight origin	Caracas-Maiquetía Airport (CCS/SVMI), Caracas, Venezuela
Destination	Cumaná Airport (CUM/SVCU), Cumaná. Venezuela
Passengers	43
Crew	4
Fatalities	47
Survivors	0

Accident

Two minutes after takeoff from Caracas-Maiquetía Airport, on a domestic flight to Cumaná Airport, the pilots declared an emergency and said they were returning to the airport due to problems with an attitude indicator.^[2] The aircraft crashed into the sea killing all 43 passengers and three crew. Due to the depth of the water it was not possible to recover major parts of the aircraft.^[2]