During what should have been a routine surveillance and patrolling anti-narcotics mission yesterday, January 25, 2006, Guatemalan Air Force's Cessna A-37B FAG-432 (73-1654, c/n 43417) was declared first, late, then missing.
The airplane departed La Aurora AB in Guatemala City, bound for northern El Peten department, but did not arrive to the intended patrol area, per reports.
It was established that the A-37B crew made contact last with Mexican air traffic controllers,
SAR operations were begun yesterday, and sadly, the remains of the airplane were discovered today in the area of the Rio Escondido, near La Libertad, El Peten.
Perished in this regrettably event, were the two crewmembers, Capt. Roberto Rubén Eduardo Trejo Ralón and Lt. Milton Neftali Godínez Velásquez.
Due to the terrain conditions (broken and jungle covered) the remains were not located until today.
My sincerest condolences to those near the now departed, and to their families.
Guatemala has operated the Cessna A-37B since 1972 when they replaced the North American F-51Ds; few aircraft remain operational due to shortage of spares and funding.
Recently, the US through the USAF refurbished two of the remaining "Alphas" to be used in counter-narcotic operations.
Photo: Tulio Soto / La Aurora AB 12/2001
Sources:
www.laahs.com
Prensa Libre newspaper
La Hora newspaper
Tulio
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