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Crash of a Cessna 402C off Treasure Cay: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 13, 2003 at 1530 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N314AB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Treasure Cay
MSN:
402C-0413
YOM:
1980
Flight number:
RSI502
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
4964.00
Aircraft flight hours:
17589
Circumstances:
On July 13, 2003, about 1530 eastern daylight time, Air Sunshine, Inc. (doing business as Tropical Aviation Services, Inc.), flight 527, a Cessna 402C, N314AB, was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean about 7.35 nautical miles west-northwest of Treasure Cay Airport (MYAT), Treasure Cay, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, following the in-flight failure of the right engine. Four of the nine passengers sustained no injuries, three passengers and the pilot sustained minor injuries, and one adult and one child passenger died after they evacuated the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as a scheduled international passenger commuter flight from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to MYAT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on a visual flight rules flight plan.
Probable cause:
The in-flight failure of the right engine and the pilotís failure to adequately manage the airplaneís performance after the engine failed. The right engine failure resulted from inadequate maintenance that was performed by Air Sunshine's maintenance personnel during undocumented maintenance. Contributing to the passenger fatalities was the pilotís failure to provide an emergency briefing after the right engine failed.
Final Report:
Crash of a Cessna 402C II off Charlotte Amalie: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 8, 1997 at 1932 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N318AB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Christiansted – Charlotte Amalie
MSN:
402C-0318
YOM:
1980
Flight number:
YI319
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
9000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
16085
Circumstances:
As the flight made a visual approach to the airport from the south over the sea, at night, the pilot changed his navigation radio from the VOR to the ILS system for runway 10 and lost DME reading from the VOR located on a hill north of the localizer course. The localizer showed the flight was south of the localizer course, and without DME from the VOR the pilot believed he was much closer to the island and the airport than the aircraft actually was. As the pilot attempted to make visual contact with the airport and maintain clearance from the hills he allowed the aircraft to descend and crash into the sea about 3 miles southwest of the airport. The pilot had not filed a FAA flight plan for the scheduled commuter flight. The pilot had been flying the route for 5 days and had no previous experience in the area. The pilot reported he had no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft systems, flight controls, or engines. No FAA Operations inspectors had conducted surveillance on the company's flight operations in the Caribbean since service had begun in December 1996.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude while making a visual approach at night over water in black hole conditions resulting in the aircraft descending and crashing into the sea. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and operator to use all available air traffic control and navigational facilities, and the FAA Principle Operations Inspector's inadequate surveillance of the operation.
Final Report:
Crash of a Cessna 402C near Andytown
Date & Time:
Aug 25, 1993 at 0855 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N206RH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sarasota - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
402C-0206
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
2400.00
Aircraft flight hours:
12918
Circumstances:
The pilot was deviating around weather during descent when he noted the fuel flow and manifold pressure on the left engine oscillating. Because the propeller was still turning he elected not to feather the left propeller. The airplane would not maintain altitude so he lowered the landing gear and ditched the airplane in a swamp. Examination of the left fuel tank revealed the fuel float valve actuators and float arms excessively worn. This condition would allow unmetered air into the fuel lines. Also noted was the condition of one of the left fuel valves that could jam open allowing the fuel pickup to unport and induce excessive air into the fuel lines.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to feather the propeller when the engine lost power, and his failure to follow the emergency procedure checklist. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate design of the fuel tank float valves which allowed for excessive wear and subsequent induction of unmetered air into the fuel lines.
Final Report:
Crash of a Cessna 402C in Clewiston: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 23, 1992 at 2022 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2714A
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Sarasota
MSN:
402C-0209
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
2250.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13708
Circumstances:
The scheduled passenger flight departed without a flight plan and was last heard from while descending in attempt to remain in VFR conditions. Witnesses on the ground stated that there was extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms at the time of the accident. The wreckage was located the next day and evidence indicated that the airplane hit the ground in a 50° nose down attitude at a high rate of speed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Pilot-in-command's improper inflight decision to attempt to descend and remain in VFR conditions in an area of thunderstorms and heavy rain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's loss of control in flight.
Final Report:
Crash of a Douglas DC-3-277C in Miami
Date & Time:
Jan 15, 1977 at 1411 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N73KW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami – Marathon – Key West
MSN:
2252
YOM:
1940
Flight number:
AAT220
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
2100.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Miami-Intl Airport, while climbing to a height of 100 feet, the left engine failed. The pilot stopped climbing and was attempting to land on the remaining wet runway when the airplane banked left, causing the left wing to drop and to struck the runway surface. Upon impact, the left main gear was torn off. The airplane went out of control, crash landed and came to rest. All 33 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of a cylinder assembly (disconnected),
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Pilot stopped climbing and was attempting to land on the remaining wet runway.
- Failure of a cylinder assembly (disconnected),
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Pilot stopped climbing and was attempting to land on the remaining wet runway.
Final Report:
