Sahsa
Encyclopedia
Servicio Aéreo de Honduras SA
otherwise known as SAHSA Airlines was the national flag carrier airline
of Honduras
from October 22, 1945 to January 14, 1994. The airline was a subsidiary of Pan American Airways and merged with Transportes Aéreos Nacionales to form TAN-SAHSA in the late 1980s.
The airline began operations on October 22, 1945, using a Douglas DC-2
(XH-SAA) to fly to destinations within Honduras. By October 1945 SAHSA had also acquired a Douglas DC-3
and a Beechcraft Model 18
. In 1953 SAHSA acquired rival airline TACA de Honduras, by which time SAHSA was operating the Douglas DC-2
, Douglas DC-3
and Curtis C-46 Commando
.
In 1970 Pan Am gave up its stake in SAHSA and TAN (Transportes Aéreos Nacionales) took over, but SAHSA continued to operate independently. TAN acquired the first Jet airliner in Honduras, a Boeing 737-200 in June 1974 and started international operations between Miami and Honduras
. SAHSA acquired a Boeing 737-200 in October 1974 and later acquired Boeing 727-200's. SAHSA began operations between Costa Rica
, Nicaragua
, Belize
and New Orleans.
The owner of TAN-SAHSA Oswaldo López Arellano
was a long term dictator
of Honduras. As a result of this no U.S. Airlines were given permission fly to or from Honduras. Once Arellano was thrown out of power, some U.S. based airlines such as Eastern Airlines, PanAm
and Air Florida
were allowed to operate to and from Honduras.
SAHSA & TAN merged into TAN-SAHSA in the early 1990s. It was based at Toncontín International Airport
in Tegucigalpa
and flew from Honduras
to various destinations throughout Central and North and South America. The TAN-SAHSA name was used between 1990 and 1991, when the name TAN disappeared. The airline continued to operate as SAHSA until its demise in 1994. The cause of the collapse was partly due to corruption and partly to the airlines poor safety record. The airline experienced several accidents during its operational life. Following the collapse of SAHSA, Honduras had no national airline until 2002, when Sol Air commenced operations.
and Douglas DC-3
. Initial routes were limited to Tegucigalpa
, San Pedro Sula
, Puerto Cortés
, La Ceiba
, Marcala
, Intibucá, Santa Rosa de Copán
, Ocotepeque
and Santa Bárbara
.
Following the acquisition of jet aircraft in the 1970s the airline opened up International Routes. These included Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Belize
, Grand Cayman
, Managua
, Guatemala City
, Costa Rica
, San Salvador
, Panamá
, Colombia
and Perú
.
S.A. (corporation)
S.A. designates a particular type of corporation in various countries, mostly those employing the civil law. It originated in Spain during the 16th century. Depending on language, the abbreviation stands for various phrases meaning anonymous society, anonymous company, anonymous partnership, or...
otherwise known as SAHSA Airlines was the national flag carrier airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
of Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
from October 22, 1945 to January 14, 1994. The airline was a subsidiary of Pan American Airways and merged with Transportes Aéreos Nacionales to form TAN-SAHSA in the late 1980s.
History
SAHSA was founded on January 2, 1945 with help from Pan American Airways under the name Servicio Aéreo de Honduras S.A. (SAHSA). Pan American Airways owned 40%, the Honduran government owned 40% and 20% was owned by private investors.The airline began operations on October 22, 1945, using a Douglas DC-2
Douglas DC-2
The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247...
(XH-SAA) to fly to destinations within Honduras. By October 1945 SAHSA had also acquired a Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
and a Beechcraft Model 18
Beechcraft Model 18
The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas...
. In 1953 SAHSA acquired rival airline TACA de Honduras, by which time SAHSA was operating the Douglas DC-2
Douglas DC-2
The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247...
, Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
and Curtis C-46 Commando
C-46 Commando
The Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
.
In 1970 Pan Am gave up its stake in SAHSA and TAN (Transportes Aéreos Nacionales) took over, but SAHSA continued to operate independently. TAN acquired the first Jet airliner in Honduras, a Boeing 737-200 in June 1974 and started international operations between Miami and Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
. SAHSA acquired a Boeing 737-200 in October 1974 and later acquired Boeing 727-200's. SAHSA began operations between Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
and New Orleans.
The owner of TAN-SAHSA Oswaldo López Arellano
Oswaldo López Arellano
Oswaldo Enrique López Arellano was a two-time President of Honduras, first from 1963 to 1971 and again from 1972 to 1975. He gained power both times via military force....
was a long term dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
of Honduras. As a result of this no U.S. Airlines were given permission fly to or from Honduras. Once Arellano was thrown out of power, some U.S. based airlines such as Eastern Airlines, PanAm
Panam
Panam may refer to:* Pan Am , a television series centered around Pan American World Airways during the 1960s* Pan American World Airways, the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927–1991...
and Air Florida
Air Florida
Air Florida was an American low-cost carrier that operated from 1971 to 1984. In 1975 it was headquartered in the Dadeland Towers in what is now the Kendall CDP in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
were allowed to operate to and from Honduras.
SAHSA & TAN merged into TAN-SAHSA in the early 1990s. It was based at Toncontín International Airport
Toncontín International Airport
Toncontín International Airport or Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía Airport is a civil and military airport that serves Tegucigalpa, Honduras...
in Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa , and commonly referred as Tegus , is the capital of Honduras and seat of government of the Republic, along with its twin sister Comayagüela. Founded on September 29, 1578 by the Spanish, it became the country's capital on October 30, 1880 under President Marco Aurelio Soto...
and flew from Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
to various destinations throughout Central and North and South America. The TAN-SAHSA name was used between 1990 and 1991, when the name TAN disappeared. The airline continued to operate as SAHSA until its demise in 1994. The cause of the collapse was partly due to corruption and partly to the airlines poor safety record. The airline experienced several accidents during its operational life. Following the collapse of SAHSA, Honduras had no national airline until 2002, when Sol Air commenced operations.
Destinations
SAHSA was initially established as a national airline to operate domestic flights with aircraft such as the Douglas DC-2Douglas DC-2
The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247...
and Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
. Initial routes were limited to Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa , and commonly referred as Tegus , is the capital of Honduras and seat of government of the Republic, along with its twin sister Comayagüela. Founded on September 29, 1578 by the Spanish, it became the country's capital on October 30, 1880 under President Marco Aurelio Soto...
, San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula is a city in Honduras. It is located in the northwest corner of the country, in the Valle de Sula , about 60 km south of Puerto Cortés on the Caribbean. With an estimated population of 638,259 people in the main municipality, and 802,598 in its metro area , it is the second...
, Puerto Cortés
Puerto Cortés
-Geography:It is on the Caribbean Sea coast, north of San Pedro Sula and east of Omoa, at 15.85° N, 87.94° W. It has a natural bay.It is Honduras's main sea port and it is considered the most important seaport in Central America...
, La Ceiba
La Ceiba
La Ceiba is a port city on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America. It is located on the southern edge of the Caribbean, forming part of the south eastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras...
, Marcala
Marcala
Marcala is a municipality in the Honduran department of La Paz.-External links:*...
, Intibucá, Santa Rosa de Copán
Santa Rosa de Copán
Santa Rosa de Copán is the departmental capital of the Honduran department of Copán. It is set at an elevation of approximately above mean sea level....
, Ocotepeque
Ocotepeque
Ocotepeque is a town and municipality in the Honduran department of Ocotepeque.Located 15 miles from the Honduran–Salvadoran border as well as the Honduran–Guatemalan border, Ocotepeque is one of the first municipalities encountered when traveling between the countries...
and Santa Bárbara
Santa Bárbara, Honduras
Santa Bárbara is the capital city of the Santa Bárbara department of Honduras....
.
Following the acquisition of jet aircraft in the 1970s the airline opened up International Routes. These included Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
, Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, San Salvador
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
, Panamá
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and Perú
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
Fleet
SAHSA's fleet consisted of the following aircraft:| Aircraft | Total | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 727-100 Boeing 727 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced... |
4 | short Haul |
| Boeing 727-200 Boeing 727 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced... |
2 | short and medium haul |
| Boeing 737-200 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
13 | short haul |
| Boeing 737-400 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
2 | medium haul |
| CV-340 | 2 | short haul |
| CV-440 | 2 | short haul |
| CV-580 | 2 | short haul |
| Douglas DC-3 Douglas DC-3 The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made... |
10 | short haul |
| Lockheed L-188 Electra | 4 | short haul |
Previously operated
The airline also operated:- Douglas DC-2Douglas DC-2The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247...
- Douglas DC-6Douglas DC-6The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
- Curtis C-46 CommandoC-46 CommandoThe Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
- de Havilland Canada Dash 7De Havilland Canada Dash 7The de Havilland Canada DHC-7, popularly known as the Dash 7, is a turboprop-powered regional airliner with STOL capabilities. It first flew in 1975 and remained in production until 1988 when the parent company, de Havilland Canada, was purchased by Boeing and was later sold to Bombardier...
Accidents and incidents
Sahsa Airlines was involved in several incidents and accidents, the most notable being:- On 7 June 1962, a SAHSA Curtiss C-46 Commando (HR-SAL); a cargo flight, crash landed at Toncontin when the left side undercarriage strut collapsed on touchdown. Both crew members survived but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
- On 20 February 1967, SAHSA Flight 203, a Douglas DC-6Douglas DC-6The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
(HR-SAS) had an accident at Toncontin International AirportToncontín International AirportToncontín International Airport or Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía Airport is a civil and military airport that serves Tegucigalpa, Honduras...
because of a reverse prop system failure, during forced braking two main gear tires caught fire, the plane overran the runway and caught fire killing 4 passengers.
- On 13 September 1969, a SAHSA Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
was hijacked at Comalapa International Airport. The hijacking lasted less than one day and there were no fatalities.
- On 25 November 1969, a SAHSA Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(HR-ANA) crashed whilst attempting to land on runway 01 at Toncontin. Strong gusts of wind upset the aircraft attitude during its flare which pushed the aircraft towards the terminal buildings. The crew forced a turn away from the buildings and crashed. All 15 passengers and 3 crew survived.
- On 28 May 1980, a SAHSA Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(HR-SAC) was damaged beyond repair when part of its landing gear struck a wall whilst on approach to Utila Airport in Honduras.
- On 8 January 1981, a Lockheed L-188 ElectraLockheed L-188 ElectraThe Lockheed Model 188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. First flying in 1957, it was the first large turboprop airliner produced in the United States. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes which prompted an expensive modification program to fix a design...
(HR-SAW) crashed at Guatemala CityGuatemala CityGuatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
whilst on a ferry flight to TegucigalpaTegucigalpaTegucigalpa , and commonly referred as Tegus , is the capital of Honduras and seat of government of the Republic, along with its twin sister Comayagüela. Founded on September 29, 1578 by the Spanish, it became the country's capital on October 30, 1880 under President Marco Aurelio Soto...
for repairs, the plane took off with only three engines and one of the electrical generators malfunctioning, shortly after take off the plane lost hydraulic pressure and tried return to La Aurora International AirportLa Aurora International AirportLa Aurora International Airport serves Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is located south of Guatemala City's center and from Antigua. It is administered by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil....
, but the plane lost altitude and crashed into some houses 1 mile west of the airport, killing the 6 crew members on board.
- On 27 March 1981, a SAHSA Boeing 737-200 was hijacked in PanamaPanamaPanama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
by terrorists demanding the release of prisoners. The hijackers surrendered after 2 days. There were no fatalities.
- On 21 October 1989, Tan-Sahsa Flight 414Tan-Sahsa Flight 414Tan-Sahsa Flight 414 was a scheduled flight from Managua , Nicaragua to Tegucigalpa , Honduras.In this hull loss accident, a Boeing 727-200 crashed into a hill near Toncontin International Airport because of a bad landing procedure....
a Boeing 727-200 (N88705) crashed at the "Cerro de Hule" mountain ridge after an unsuccessful approach, killing 127 people.
- On 18 March 1990, a SAHSA Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(HR-SAZ) overran the runway on landing at Juan Manuel Gálvez International AirportJuan Manuel Gálvez International AirportJuan Manuel Gálvez International Airport is an airport located on the island of Roatán in the Bay Islands Department in Honduras. It serves national and international air traffic of the island. The airport is named for Juan Manuel Gálvez the former president of Honduras...
, RoatánRoatánRoatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan...
and ended up in the sea. The aircraft, performing a domestic scheduled passenger flight, was damaged beyond repair but all 32 people on board escaped.
- On 17 November 1991, a SAHSA Boeing 737-200 landed hard on the right main gear strut at Juan Santamaria International AirportJuan Santamaría International AirportJuan Santamaría International Airport is located in Alajuela Province, about from downtown San José, Costa Rica. It is a hub airport for TACA/Lacsa, and focus city airport for Copa Airlines. It is named after Costa Rica's national hero Juan Santamaría, a courageous drummer boy who died in 1856...
casing the right landing gear strut to collapse. All 36 passengers and 6 crew escaped.
- On 18 July 1993, a SAHSA Boeing 737-200 was damaged beyond repair during a hard landing at Managua Airport in NicaraguaNicaraguaNicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
the aircraft skidded to the right, off the runway. The nosegear collapsed and both engines were torn off. The aircraft came to rest 200 feet right of the runway.
Trivia
- SAHSA's Customer Code at BoeingBoeingThe Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
is "K6".
- SAHSA owned one of the first 737-200's to be scrapped.
- SAHSA Airlines also had a cargo company called SAHSA Carga.
- Almost all of SAHSA's Planes were named after historic dates or people in Honduras.
- One of the DC-3s (C-47) that SAHSA owned is still in operations in Honduras with AVIAC, using the same registration.
- A Boeing 737-200 once owned by Sahsa was donated to The British Columbia Institute of TechnologyBritish Columbia Institute of TechnologyThe British Columbia Institute of Technology , is a public, coeducational, academic institution of higher education in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The polytechnic has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with the main campus in Burnaby...
on behalf of the current owner WestJetWestJetWestJet Airlines Ltd. is a Canadian low-cost carrier that provides scheduled and charter air service to 71 destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Founded in 1996, WestJet is currently the second largest Canadian air carrier, behind Air Canada, operating an average of...
in 2003, Currently it is located in the BCIT Aerospace Campus beside the Vancouver International Airport (C-GWJO).