San Miguel | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After takeoff from Contadora Island Airport, while climbing, the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. Some birds struck the right engine that failed. The aircraft lost speed then rolled to the right and crashed in the sea some 1,500 meters offshore. Two passengers were rescued while 20 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine and subsequent loss of control during initial climb following a bird strike.

Crash of a Travel Air 4000 in San Miguel: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1984 at 1845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Travel Air 4000

Operator:

Troy E. Stimson

Registration:

N8719

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Paso Robles - San Miguel

MSN:

1003

YOM:

1929

Location:

San Miguel

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

146

Captain / Total hours on type:

14.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3491

Circumstances:

Ground witnesses reported that this and another aircraft were engaged in a mock 'dogfight'; both aircraft were circling the accident area between 500- 800 feet agl and neither aircraft was negotiating any aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot stated that during a descending 30° right banking turn, the aircraft entered into a right spin. Control inputs, including 'aft stick pressure,' could not arrest the spin. The pilot had not received any spin/spin recovery instruction from a cfi in the aircraft. However, the pilot's father stated he had given the pilot spin/spin recovery instruction. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. Maneuver - performed - pilot in command
2. (c) airspeed - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (c) stall/spin - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. Remedial action - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) inadequate training - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

N1662M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

San Miguel – Panama City

MSN:

22545

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from the San Miguel Island, the left engine oversped. The crew elected to feather the propeller and to shot down the engine but was unable to do so. Losing speed and height, the crew attempt an emergency landing into the sea few km off shore. Both pilots were quickly rescued while the airplane sank 30 minutes later by 35 meters depth.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in San Miguel

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

CC-CAH-331

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

33544

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

In unknown circumstances, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a beach located near the city of San Miguel. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.