Crash of a Cessna 402B in Aguadilla: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 2024 at 0924 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4167G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Aguadilla - Aguadilla
MSN:
402B-1214
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local post maintenance test flight out from Aguadilla-Rafael Hernández Airport. After takeoff, the twin engine airplane climbed to an altitude of about 1,600 feet when the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and elected to return. Following a 180 turn, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a residential area located near the airport, bursting into flames. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in the Caribbean Sea

Date & Time: Nov 24, 2011 at 0823 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N534P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aguadilla - Saint George
MSN:
46-36423
YOM:
2007
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2175
Captain / Total hours on type:
643.00
Aircraft flight hours:
215
Circumstances:
While delivering the single-engine, turbine-powered airplane to Brazil during a multiple leg trip, the pilot decided to fly direct from his departure airport in Puerto Rico to his destination airport in Grenada instead of following the island chain and staying within power-off gliding distance of the shore. During the cruise portion of the flight, a total loss of engine power occurred over open water in visual meteorological conditions at 27,000 feet, about 119 miles west of a suitable landing area. During the loss of power, the engine torque indication dropped from the cruise power setting to 0 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of torque, the engine then began to vibrate, and smoke began emanating from the engine. The pilot ditched the airplane, it sank, and it was not recovered. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were rescued by a French Navy helicopter. The pilot said that he had decided to take a direct route instead of staying closer to the island chain between the two airports because he had ferried 3 airplanes down to Brazil in the last year and that it was a judgment call and a calculated risk because the engine was reliable. At the airplane’s planned operating altitude of 27,000 feet, the airplane could have glided about 54 miles; if the route had been planned to take advantage of this glide distance, the pilot could have remained off shore island chain and taken a shorter, although not direct, route. Review of fueling documentation, the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and statements made by the pilot and pilot-rated passenger also revealed that on the accident flight, good operating practices were disregarded. For instance, during fueling, the airplane which was not equipped with fuel heaters, had been topped off with fuel, but no fuel icing additive had been added, even though the pilot was planning to operate the airplane at 27,000 feet. The airplane was also operated in excess of the manufacturer's published weight limitations, and no power setting or performance information was available for climb and cruise operations in excess of these limitations. Furthermore, according to the pilot, before the loss of engine power, the torque was about 937 ft-lbs. According to the pilot-rated passenger, before the failure, the torque gauge was indicating about 980 ft-lbs. Review of the maximum cruise performance chart in the POH and Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revealed that both of the stated torque settings exceeded the maximum torque setting listed on the chart. Operating the engine beyond the recommended power settings specified in the POH/AFM for a prolonged period will result in accelerated deterioration due to hot section component distress and will affect engine reliability and durability.
Probable cause:
The total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to comply with the airplane and engine limitations, and his decision to fly over water beyond power-off gliding distance from shore.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-240-17 in Aguadilla

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N87949
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aguadilla - Aguadilla
MSN:
202
YOM:
1950
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Aguadilla-Rafael Hernández Airport. Following several touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew was approaching the airport when he inadvertently raised the landing gear prior to landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Belly landing after the crew mistakenly raised the landing gear.

Crash of a Canadair CL-44D4-6 in Aguadilla

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N100BB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Aguadilla
MSN:
29
YOM:
1961
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Aguadilla-Rafael Hernández, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and thunderstorm activity. On final, the aircraft was struck by lightning. The crew was able to continue the descent but the aircraft landed hard, bounced and came to a halt on the main runway. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in San Juan: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1978 at 1845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N500L
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Aguadilla – San Juan
MSN:
A-415
YOM:
1948
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
4365
Captain / Total hours on type:
46.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses located in the district of Barrio Obrero, about 4 km short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Few people on the ground were injured.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent on final approach due to wake turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Vortex turbulences,
- Communications and navigation equipment: transmitters and/or receivers malfunction,
- Unable to communicate on terminal radar service area frequency.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando off Aguadilla

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1975 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4873V
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Petersburg - Aguadilla
MSN:
22415
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
11100.00
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a cargo flight from St Petersburg to Aguadilla, carrying two pilots and a load of 9,000 lbs of dynamite. While approaching Aguadilla, both engines lost power and stopped almost simultaneously. The crew elected to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea about 800 meters offshore. The airplane sank by 50 feet of water and its wreckage was not recovered. Both pilots, slightly injured, were evacuated.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper in-flight decisions por planning,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion.
Final Report: