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Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in the Dry Tortugas National Park

Date & Time: Apr 23, 2019 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N366TA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dry Tortugas - Key West
MSN:
208-0249
YOM:
1996
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2407
Captain / Total hours on type:
27.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9506
Circumstances:
The pilot landed the seaplane into an easterly wind, then noticed that the surface wind was greater than forecast. Unable to taxi to the beaching location, he elected to return to his destination. He maneuvered the airplane into the wind and applied takeoff power. He described the takeoff run as "bumpy" and the water conditions as "rough." The pilot reported that the left float departed the airplane at rotation speed, and the airplane subsequently nosed into the water. The pilot and passengers were assisted by a nearby vessel and the airplane subsequently sank into 50 ft of water. Inclement sea and wind conditions prevented recovery of the wreckage for 52 days, and the wreckage was stored outside for an additional 13 days before recovery by the salvage company. Extensive saltwater corrosion prevented metallurgical examination of the landing gear components; however, no indication of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure was found.
Probable cause:
The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in rough sea conditions, resulting in damage to the floats and the sinking of the seaplane.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas B-26B Invader off Dry Tortugas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shot down by Cuban fire and crashed into the sea off Dry Tortugas Islands, Florida. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Cuban fire.

Crash of a Martin A-30A-30-MA Baltimore off Dry Tortugas

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1944 at 1558 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
43-8890
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wilmington - Raleigh - Jacksonville - Nassau
MSN:
7747
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1100
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Wilmington-New Castle County Airport on a delivery flight to Nassau. The crew made two fuel stops in Raleigh and Jacksonville. En route to Nassau, the crew encountered restricted visibility with scattered to broken cumulus with base at 2,000 feet and top at 6,000 feet. The crew deviated from the prescribed route and due to a fuel exhaustion, was forced to ditch the airplane off Dry Tortugas, west of Key West. The crew evacuated the airplane that sank within a minute. The crew was rescued about 15 minutes later by the ship SS Paulsboro. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was still registered 43-8890 and operated by the USAAF as it was supposed to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in Nassau and registered FW733.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert E. Allen, pilot,
Cpl Robert D. Arigoni.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was ditched by the crew due to a fuel exhaustion caused by a pilot error and poor judgment in navigation. At the time of the accident, the directional finding equipment was inoperative and the crew was flying under VMR mode.
Final Report: