The aircraft, a Let L-410 Turbolet, had just taken off from El Embrujo Airport at 9:50, when the left engine flamed out.

The aircraft crashed into a mangrove forest, located just 113 metres (371 ft) from the airport runway.

One passenger initially survived the crash, but succumbed to their injuries shortly after being rescued.

[2] This crash further worsened the already critical situation that had been facing West Caribbean Airways.

Only 5 months later, the airline suffered another fatal and even deadlier accident on 16 August 2005, when Flight 708, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, crashed in Venezuela killing all 160 people on board which further worsened the company's image.