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The aircraft burst into flames after crashing shortly after takeoff. (MSP Photo)
A single-engine aircraft crashed and burned around 5 p.m. Thursday evening near Nosara, in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste province, killing both of the aircraft’s occupants, officials have confirmed.
The aircraft is believed to have had trouble gaining altitude shortly after takeoff from a clandestine airstrip, presumably because the aircraft was overweight.
After skimming the tree line of a nearby farm, the aircraft plunged to the ground and burst into flames, according to official and unofficial sources.
A large quantity of cocaine was amongst the wreckage. (MSP photo)
Amongst the wreckage, authorities discovered a package containing US $45,000 in cash, two handguns, an Uzi submachine gun, and a shotgun, according to official and unofficial sources.
A large shipment of cocaine is also believed to have been onboard, according to official and unofficial sources, which may have been responsible for the aircraft being unable to gain altitude after takeoff.
The aircraft was apparently conducting an unauthorized flight and had not filed a flight plan, according to Costa Rica’s Air Surveillance Service (SVA) and the Ministry of Public Security (MSP).
The identities and nationalities of the two deceased occupants, believed to be a man and a woman, have yet to be determined.
Developing story.
