Aviaco Flight 118
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Spain |
| Products | Air transport services |
Aviaco Flight 118 involved a Sud Aviation Caravelle operated by Aviaco that tragically crashed near Montrove, Spain, on 13 August 1973 during an attempted landing at A Coruña Airport amid dense fog. The plane impacted an abandoned farmhouse located approximately from the airport. All 85 individuals aboard lost their lives, in addition to one fatality on the ground.
This flight was a seasonal daily route connecting Madrid to A Coruña, favored by tourists visiting Galicia's coastal destinations during the summer months. Departing Madrid at 9:14 a.m. CEST, the crew established contact with La Coruña's control tower at 10:14, where they were alerted to low visibility conditions. Although advised to delay landing until conditions improved, the pilots proceeded with two failed landing attempts before being notified at 11:20 that visibility had gotten better. During a third approach at 11:39, the aircraft struck eucalyptus trees, crashed into the farmhouse, and ignited.
All passengers and crew died instantly except for one individual who succumbed to injuries later. The official inquiry concluded that pilot error was the cause, highlighting the breach of safety procedures by trying to land under poor visibility despite alternative airports such as Santiago de Compostela offering more favorable weather conditions.