 At about 2: 55 pm, the four-engine Electra turboprop began its takeoff run to the west. At some point during the takeoff run or initial climb, the number three engine failed and caught fire. The crew continued the takeoff and climb, per standard procedure, using power from the remaining three engines. The pilot radioed the control tower declaring an emergency, and the control tower cleared the flight for an immediate landing. The number three engine was engulfed in flames as the crew retracted the flaps and maneuvered the plane into a left turn back to the runway. The plane entered a 30 – 45 degree bank, then rapidly lost altitude and crashed into hilly terrain about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west-southwest of the runway, above the village of San Jerónimo. The fuel on board lit up superbly and all aboard perished except the copilot, who was found in the wreckage of the cockpit badly burned but alive. Two farm workers were killed on the ground.
