W O 11-1-98 Rocky Mountain Helicopters Douglas C-47A N3FY CN 20562 . Taken In June 1991 . Editorial Image

he DC-3 was on a flight from Playa Grande when it crashed into mountainous terrain near Quetzaltenango Airport. Instrument meteorological conditions (thick fog and rain) prevailed and no flight plan was reported filed. The bad weather was due to the tropical depression Mitch.The plane carried doctors from the Christian Agua Viva missionary group who had done medical relief work in Playa Grande.Circumstances: The aircraft was completing a humanitarian flight from Playa Grande to Quetzaltenango on behalf of the Living Water Teaching Ministries owned by Jim and Marion Zirkle. On board were 16 passengers and two pilots, among them doctors and a load of medicines and first aid kits for the victims of hurricane Mitch. The approach was completed in poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and thick fog when the aircraft struck the ground few km from the airport. Seven people were rescued while 11 others were killed, among them Jim Zirkle and his son.