Accidents
Costa Rican Caravan Crash Claims 12
The New Year's Eve accident claimed the lives of 10 Americans and two crew members when the turboprop went down shortly after takeoff.
Grand Caravan TI-BEI, one of several operated by Costa Rican private airline and charter provider Nature Air, crashed soon after takeoff on New Year's Eve, claiming the lives of all 12 on board. Weather is being considered as a possible factor in the accident. (Photo: Denis Gonzalez Diaz)
Grand Caravan TI-BEI, one of several operated by Costa Rican private airline and charter provider Nature Air, crashed soon after takeoff on New Year's Eve, claiming the lives of all 12 on board. Weather is being considered as a possible factor in the accident. (Photo: Denis Gonzalez Diaz)

A crash of a Cessna Grand Caravan in Costa Rica on December 31 claimed the lives of all 12 on board, including 10 American passengers. The Costa Rican-registered turboprop single, operating as a charter flight by private airline Nature Air, was headed for the company’s main base at San José-Juan Santamaria International Airport when it went down around noon in a wooded area near the town of Punta Islita, just after takeoff from the local airport.