Date & Time:
Jun 7, 1992 at 1434 LT
Type of aircraft:
Casa 212 Aviocar
Operator:
Registration:
N355CA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Juan - Mayaguez
MSN:
234
YOM:
1982
Flight number:
AA5456
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
2
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
3
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total hours on type:
2634
Aircraft flight hours:
14135
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed on approach 3/4 mile southwest of the airport. A witness heard sound he associated with props going into reverse, then observed airplane emerge from clouds in a nose-low attitude. CVR tape revealed sound of an abrupt change in frequency and amplitude 10 seconds prior to impact. Exam of the left engine beta indicator lamp revealed heavy oxide deposit and stretched coils indicative of the lamp being illuminated at impact; right engine beta lamp was destroyed. Power levers and (beta mode) trigger locks operated normally; trigger return springs intact. Flight idle stops showed no evidence of excessive wear or deformation. The power lever (beta) blocking device lockout solenoid was tested electrically and functioned normally. The rigging of the beta lockout device could not be checked due to impact damage. The operator conducted a funct test of the electrical or backup beta blocking devices on the remaining 8 Casa 212 airplanes; 3 were found to be inoperative. Neither the manufacturing nor operator had an inspection or funct test requirement for the blocking devices. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The failure of the beta blocking device for undetermined reason(s), and the second-pilot's inadvertent activation of the power lever, or levers, aft of the flight idle position and into the beta range, resulting in a loss of airplane control.
Final Report:
N355CA.pdf91.79 KB
