The Judicial Investigative Organism (OIJ) in Costa Rica carried out three searches this Monday, January 8th to collect documents and information related to the airplane accident that took place December 31st in the area of Nandayure, Guanacaste and where 10 tourists died as well as the 2 crew members. The searches were conducted in the offices of Nature in located in the Juan Santamaria Airport and Tobias Bolaños Airport, as well as in the Civil Aviation office in La Uruca.

“Within the investigation process it is absolutely necessary to collect data related to the aircraft, the flight records, maintenance records, and digital files where all this information is saved, as well as documentation an the files on both pilots to confirm their work itineraries and the availability they had to work that December 31st”, explained Walter Espinoza, director of the OIJ, who also confirmed 30 agents participated in the operation.

Part of the objective of this search is also to verify that all documents they have are authentic and correct.

The police have already conducted interviews, and gathered evidence and information from the area where the plane crashed in the mountains of Guanacaste.

Even though Civil Aviation has collaborated with the investigation all along, Espinoza explained that this type of operation is necessary since it allows them to get access to information and material immediately and request anything else they feel is important at that same moment.

10 US tourists died in this tragic plane accident, Bruce, Irene, William, Zachary and Matthew Steinberg; Leslie, Michell, Ari and Hannah Weiss and Amanda Rae Geissler; the two other victims were Juan Manuel Retana (pilot) and Emma Ramos (copilot).

The engine of the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan has been sent to Canada to the manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) for its analysis.