Christiansted

Survivors:

Site:

Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)

Schedule:

Charlotte Amalie - Christiansted

MSN:

1189

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11500

Captain / Total hours on type:

2733.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Charlotte Amalie, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft that struck rocks and came to rest by the shore. All 11 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and subsequent uncontrolled collision with water due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system: ram air assembly,
- Material failure,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Poor/inadequate design,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Carburetor airbox hot air to cold air valve linkage retaining bolt failed causing air starvation.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Red Hook: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1978 at 1645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

N8777A

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint John - Christiansted

MSN:

1152

YOM:

1942

Flight number:

415

Location:

Red Hook

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14154

Captain / Total hours on type:

5697.00

Circumstances:

Several minutes after departure from St John on flight 415 to Christiansted, both engines stopped quite simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the aircraft. The amphibian landed in heavy sea conditions two miles northeast of Frenchmans Cap, approximately four miles southeast of Red Hook, on the east coast of St Thomas Island. All seven passengers were rescued while both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

The double engine failure was the consequence of a crew error after the fuel selector was positioned between both fuel tanks.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander off Vieques: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1977 at 0748 LT

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

N862JA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Christiansted – Vieques

MSN:

184

YOM:

1970

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5031

Captain / Total hours on type:

1010.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Vieques on a flight from Christiansted, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea few miles offshore. Five passengers were killed and five other occupants were injured .

Probable cause:

Double engine failure during normal cruise and ditching due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Forced landing off airport on water.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando off Goyave

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Quarterwins Aviation

Registration:

N74689

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Roseau - Christiansted

MSN:

32975

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While in normal cruise on a cargo flight from Roseau to Christiansted, the left engine lost hydraulic pressure. The crew shut down the engine and feathered its propeller when the right engine misfired shortly later. In such conditions, the captain reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off Goyave. All four occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine due to hydraulic pressure issue for unknown reasons. The right engine also partially failed probably after being subject to an excessive use.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air off Ponce

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1977 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Hollywood Flying Service

Registration:

N99JL

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Great Inagua - Christiansted

MSN:

LD-277

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10000

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a pleasure flight from Great Inagua Island to Christiansted, US Virgin Island. While flying along the south coast of Puerto Rico, he contacted ATC and declared an emergency after both engines failed simultaneously. He reduced his altitude then ditched the aircraft about 32 miles southeast of Ponce VOR. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure in flight for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with know deficiencies in equipment,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Both fuel flowmeters,
- Left engine alternator inoperative,
- Wet comp 20-30° error.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Christiansted: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1976 at 1633 LT

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

N4772C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Charlotte Amalie - Christiansted

MSN:

B131

YOM:

1945

Location:

Christiansted

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13628

Captain / Total hours on type:

3048.00

Circumstances:

En route from Charlotte Amalie to Christiansted, the right engine failed. The pilot feathered the propeller and later attempted an emergency landing when the seaplane crashed into the Caribbean Sea off St Croix Island. The airplane sank and was not recovered. Five passengers were drowned while five other occupants were rescued.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Rough water,
- Unscheduled feather right propeller undetermined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander off Charlotte Amalie: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1974 at 1931 LT

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

N864JA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)

Schedule:

Christiansted - Charlotte Amalie

MSN:

175

YOM:

1970

Location:

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3225

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Charlotte Amalie by night while on a cargo flight from Christiansted, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later a no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-228C off Saint Martin

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1971 at 1310 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Island Gem Enterprises

Registration:

N1981W

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site: