Puerto Rico | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following an uneventful flight, the crew completed the approach to the San Juan harbor in good weather conditions. Upon landing on water in a nose down attitude, the seaplane plunged into the water and came to rest. Two passengers were killed while all 25 other occupants were rescued.
Crew:
Charles A. Lorber, pilot,
Harvey E. Breaux, copilot,
John Donovan Donnelley, flight engineer,
W. P. Mahoney, radio navigator,
Joe Catala, steward,
A. E. Calligari, steward.
Source & photos: http://www.webstart.com/jed/house/NC15376/

Probable cause:

It was concluded that the aircraft was landed in an unduly nose-low attitude, and second, that at the time of first contact while in that attitude, it was moving sideways relative to the water. It appears from the record that there were no extraneous turning forces which might have been caused by non-uniform application of power or by faulty rudder tab setting. On the basis of the foregoing findings and the entire record available to is at this time, investigation board found that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the captain to exercise requisite caution and skill in landing. The smooth surface of the water which rendered difficult the captains depth perception as well as the exact determination of any lateral movement of the aircraft, constituted a substantial contributing factor.

Final Report:

Crash of a Sikorsky Y1OA-8 off Borinquen

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Sikorsky S-43

Operator:

Registration:

37-374

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

4336

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Borinquen, the floatplane suffered an engine failure and crashed into the sea. Crew fate unknown.

Probable cause:

Engine failure upon takeoff.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-2 Catalina off San Juan

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

0467

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taking off from the harbor of San Juan, the floatplane collided with a surface craft and crashed. All six crew members suffered minor injuries.

Crash of a Sikorsky S-38A off San Juan

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Sikorsky S-38

Operator:

Registration:

NC5933

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Miami – San Juan

MSN:

14-A

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing off San Juan, the floatplane collided with an undetermined floating object and was damaged beyond repair. All nine occupants were rescued.

Probable cause:

Collision with floating object upon landing on sea.