Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2B in Ponce: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1972 at 2317 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.114 Heron
Operator:
Registration:
N554PR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Juan - Ponce
MSN:
14085
YOM:
1955
Flight number:
PQ191
Location:
Ponce
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
8297
Captain / Total hours on type:
3017.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1434
Copilot / Total hours on type:
102
Aircraft flight hours:
11364
Circumstances:
On a night approach to Ponce-Mercedita Airport, the crew decided to make a go-around when control was lost. The airplane overrotated then crashed 2,200 feet past the runway 29 threshold and 260 feet to the south. Both pilots and three passengers were killed while all other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the loss of directional control during a go-around from a landing attempt. Control was lost when the aircraft was overrotated at too low an airspeed to sustain flight. The crew’s reasons for rejecting the landing are not known.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 in Charlotte Amalie: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1971 at 1726 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Coastal Airways
Registration:
N456T
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie - San Juan
MSN:
BA-173
YOM:
1956
Location:
Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
14563
Captain / Total hours on type:
2400.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 10 at Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The pilot elected to maintain control when the airplane stalled and crashed onto the Island Beachcomber Hotel located along the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all 8 occupants were killed. Fortunately, there were no victims on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during initial climb and loss of control. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Powerplant failure, engine structure, piston and piston rings,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Powerplant - lubricating system, filters, screen,
- The right engine piston tops were eroded, pieces of rings were missing,
- The right propeller could not be feathered,
- The landing gear were still down at impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL in Tortola

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1971 at 0951 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Vinair (USA)
Registration:
N57372
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Juan - Tortola
MSN:
10136
YOM:
1943
Location:
Tortola-Terrance B. Lettsome
All British Virgin Islands
Country:
British Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4425
Captain / Total hours on type:
1510.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Tortola-Terrance B. Lettsome Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground few meters short of runway threshold. The undercarriages were torn off and the aircraft belly landed before coming to rest. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-2A7 in Charlotte Amalie: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1970 at 1442 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
N8790R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New York – San Juan – Charlotte Amalie
MSN:
20240/717
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
TBB505
Location:
Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10666
Captain / Total hours on type:
169.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
21016
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1126
Circumstances:
Upon touchdown on runway 09 at Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport, the airplane bounced twice and eventually landed firmly after a course of 2,700 feet (runway 09 is 4,650 feet long). At this time, the right wing struck the runway surface. Out of control, the airplane overran, went through a fence and a road before coming to rest in flames against a hill. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and two passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
The captain's use of improper techniques in recovering from a high bounce generated by a poorly executed approach and touchdown. Lack of cockpit crew coordination during the approach and attempted recovery contributed to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander near Orocovis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1970 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N855JA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Juan - Ponce
MSN:
87
YOM:
1969
Location:
Orocovis
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4180
Captain / Total hours on type:
130.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at a relative low height, the pilot initiated a turn to the left when the airplane struck a mountain and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the uncontrolled descent could not be determined. However, there was no malfunction on the aircraft and it is reported that the pilot had not slept for about 27 hours.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor off Loíza: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1969 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N9957Z
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan – Charlotte Amalie
MSN:
52-10802
YOM:
1952
Location:
Loíza
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5400
Captain / Total hours on type:
2050.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from San Juan, while cruising along the coast, the pilot informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was vectored to the nearest airport. The pilot reduced his altitude but as he realized he could not make it, he decided to ditch the aircraft about 400 meters offshore. The airplane quickly sank and was not recovered. A passenger drowned while 11 other occupants were injured, four of then seriously. Few debris were later found.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure in cruising flight for undetermined reasons. The following factors were reported:
- The aircraft came to rest in water and sank,
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Partial loss of power one engine,
- Left engine failed then the right engine lost power,
- Ditched in heavy sea 900 feet from shore,
- No pre-takeoff emergency briefing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander into the Sargasso Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N852JA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Great Inagua – San Juan
MSN:
72
YOM:
1969
Location:
Sargasso Sea
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2475
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
En route from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan via Great Inagua, the airplane crashed into the Sargasso Sea in unknown circumstances. There was no distress call sent by the pilot en route. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680E off San Juan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1968 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
ABC-PRS Airways
Registration:
N408EE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
680-665-8
YOM:
1958
Location:
San Juan
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3602
Captain / Total hours on type:
369.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a positioning flight when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea off San Juan. Some debris were found a day later but no trace of the pilot who was presumed dead.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-82 Packet near Perote: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1964 at 1935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
N24127
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Long Beach – San Juan
MSN:
10177
YOM:
1945
Location:
Perote
Veracruz
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Long Beach to San Juan, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Perote. Both crew members were killed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-139 in New York

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1964 at 2302 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Registration:
N779PA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Juan – New York
MSN:
17904
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
PA212
Location:
New York-JFK
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
136
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14629
Captain / Total hours on type:
711.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10433
Copilot / Total hours on type:
141
Aircraft flight hours:
11094
Circumstances:
PAA 212 departed Dulles Airport at 2221 with the same crew of 9 and 136 passengers. The flight was conducted under instrument conditions and was routine until arrival in the New York area. At 2239 the New York Center controller transmitted the JFK weather to PAA 212. The runway visual range (RVR) on runway 4R at JFK was reported to be 1,600 feet. At 2250 JFK Approach Control established radar and radio contact with PAA 212 and advised: "Depart Colts Neck heading zero nine zero for vectors to the final approach course, Kennedy weather is three hundred thin broken, measured ceiling one thousand five hundred overcast, visibility one and one-half miles fog, and the runway visual range runway four right more than one thousand feet, standby." FAA 212 acknowledged the transmission. N779PA was restricted to landing Minimums of 300-foot ceiling and 3/4 mile visibility. The flight reported over the Colts Neck VOR at 2253 35 and was cleared to descend from 6,000 to 1,500 feet. Several vectors were given to position FAA 212 on the inbound heading to the Outer Marker (OM). At 2256.15 while on a heading of 040 degree, the crew reported reaching 1,500 feet, airspeed 180. Several delaying vectors were given to position the aircraft three and one-half miles behind a DC-8 which was landing ahead. At 2259.45 the JFK local controller transmitted to FAA 212: "Clipper two one two this is Kennedy Tower, report passing outer marker, straight in four right, wind calm, runway visual range, all aircraft copy, four right is more than six thousand." Prevailing visibility at the JFK Airport was less than three miles, therefore the Precision Approach Radar (PAR) Controller was monitoring all ILS approaches to runway 4R as prescribed by procedures. At 2301.10 the PAR controller advised, "Clipper two twelve, Kennedy radar on localizer one mile from outer marker course and glidepath OK." At 2301:40, PAA 212 reported passing the outer marker and the PAR controller advised, "Clipper two twelve two miles from touchdown." The local controller transmitted at 2301 45 "Clipper two one two, Kennedy Tower cleared to land four right, traffic will be clear in five seconds." PAR at 2302-10 advised "Clipper two twelve, Kennedy radar, execute a missed approach if you do not have the runway in sight." Immediately following this transmission, PAA 212 acknowledged "Uh. . . Roger two one two." The next radio transmission was at 2303:10 when the local controller called the flight but was unable to establish radio contact. After touchdown the aircraft continued down and off the runway across the asphalt overrun and through a sandy area before coming to rest in the shallow water of Thurston Basin approximately 800 feet from the far end of runway 4R. When the aircraft came to rest the crew proceeded aft to assist the passengers. The main forward (left) cabin door was opened and the passengers in this section of the aircraft left through this door. The passengers in the aft section left through the overwing exits onto the wings; and others left through the two rear doors and got into two life rafts that had been launched. Evacuation of the aft section of the aircraft was completed in approximately five minutes. After seats and debris had been removed from the first-class compartment aisle, some of the persons who had been in the aft section of the aircraft reentered the aircraft and left through the main forward cabin door. The aircraft broke in two and was written off. Among the 145 occupants, 40 were injured, seven of them seriously, and 105 other occupants were unhurt.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the captain's deviation from the glide slope during an ILS approach resulting in a touchdown on the rim-way at a point and speed which precluded stopping the aircraft on the remaining runway.
Final Report:
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