Boeing 757-200, Crashed Near Cabarate Beach Near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

February 6, 1996, about 2348 Atlantic standard time, a Boeing 757-200, TC-GEN registered to Birgenair, crashed near Cabarate Beach near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, while on a passenger charter flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces with the water, and 176 passengers and 13 crew members were fatally injured.

The flight departed General Gregorio Luperon International Airport in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic at 2343 Atlantic standard time. The airplane was climbing through 7000 feet when it was observed on radar to start a right descending turn disappearing from radar descending through 5000 feet radio contact was lost about the same time.

The flight was a charter flight for Alas Nacionales destined to Frankfurt, Germany with intermediate stops in Gander, Newfoundland and Berlin, Germany. Birgenair is based in Istanbul, Turkey and leases to Alas Nacionales a Dominican Republic company. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Dominican Republic Aviation Authorities. This report is filed for information purposes only and contains only that information released by the Dominican Republic Aviation Authorities.

Birgenair Flight 301 See Audio video On YouTube Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5