Cessna 208 accident near Zacapa, Gt, August 24, 2008
On August 24, 2008 at about 3:45 pm local time, a Cessna 208, registered TGJCS, was destroyed in an accident near Zacapa. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 11 people were killed and 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2008 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Zacapa, Guatemala · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 11 people were killed and 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 208 · all 208s on the register
- Registration
- TGJCS · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 24, 2008, about 1545 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 208, Guatemalan registry TG-JCS, was destroyed during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Zacapa, Guatemala. The two Guatemalan certificated flight crew members, and nine passengers were killed. Three passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed La Aurora International Airport (MGGT), Guatemala City, Guatemala, destined for El Estor, Izabal, Guatemala. The airplane was operated by Aero Ruta Maya, and based at MGGT. The airplane experienced a loss of engine power about 15 minutes after takeoff, and crashed during a forced landing attempt to a field. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of the airplane. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC). Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: DGAC Aeropuerto International La Aurora Zona 13, Guatemala, C.A. 01013 This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Guatemala.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Injury: fatal
Co-pilot
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Aero Ruta Maya
The flight
- Departed from: MGGT Guatemala City at 3:30 pm
- Destination: NONE El Estor
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 am from MGGT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 9 | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.