[1][3][4] The Boeing 707-323C (N751MA) involved in the accident was built in 1967 with serial number 19582 and was delivered to American Airlines on October 27.

It was sold to Millon Air in October 1989 and operated by the carrier, but reportedly registered to Wilmington Trust.

[6][7] On February 22, 1996, about eight months before the accident, the plane lost hydraulic fluid while en route from Manaus, Brazil to Miami.

The aircraft quickly lost altitude and struck the La Dolorosa Catholic church's bell tower.

A year earlier, a Douglas DC-8-54F leased to Faucet Perú crashed in Guatemala City, killing six people.