Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando off Santo Domingo

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Aeromar
Registration:
HI-201
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Christiansted
Location:
Santo Domingo-Las Américas
Santo Domingo
Country:
Dominican Republic
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Saint-Domingue-Las Américas Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The crew decided to ditch the airplane in the Bay of Boca Chica located 5 km east of the airfield. The aircraft came to rest few hundred meters offshore and all four crew members were quickly rescued. The aircraft was on its way to Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, carrying a load of 6,4 tons of fruits.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff.

Crash of a Stewart-Davis PBY-5A Super Catalina in Christiansted

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1970 at 0803 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
N5584V
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie – Christiansted
MSN:
1846
YOM:
1944
Location:
Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen (ex Alexander Hamilton)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching the seaplane base of Christiansted, the crew suspected technical problems with the undercarriage and decided to divert to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport. Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and the seaplane came to rest. While both pilots were uninjured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left main gear upon landing due to the failure of the upper end hydraulic actuator. The following factors were reported:
- Landing gear failure,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Corrosion,
- Improper maintenance of the aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Precautionary landing on airport following a suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Gear overdue 1,700 hours overhaul by 801 hours.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Kingshill: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1967 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Virgin Islands Airways - VIA
Registration:
N8448C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Christiansted - Christiansted
Location:
Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen (ex Alexander Hamilton)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10850
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport. While approaching from the north, the airplane stalled and crashed in Kinsghill, about 2 miles north of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control while practicing single engine approach. The crew failed to maintain flying speed and inadequate flight supervision.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen (ex Alexander Hamilton)