Crash of a Lockheed MC-130H Hercules in Caguas: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 2002 at 2050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
90-0161
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Roosevelt Roads - Roosevelt Roads
MSN:
5265
YOM:
1991
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew departed Roosevelt Roads NAS on a local training flight. In the evening, while returning the to NAS, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds, limited visibility and rain falls. While descending at low height, the crew suffered a loss of situational awareness and failed to respond to obstacle warnings. The four engine aircraft collided with trees and crashed on the top of Mt Perucho. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 10 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
By clear and convincing evidence, the cause of this mishap was an uncharacteristic loss of situational awareness by the entire mishap flight deck crew and the subsequent lack of an appropriate response to obstacle warnings. The Board President further found the following factors substantially contributed to the mishap: overall crew preparation, a misdirected focus on the weather, crew resource management dynamics, and crew judgment as it relates to existing directives.

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S off Roosevelt Roads NAS: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1996 at 1224 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N353T
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Juan - Kingstown
MSN:
BA-485
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
TOL353
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
16345
Captain / Total hours on type:
385.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8203
Circumstances:
At 1136 AST, the twin engine airplane departed San Juan, PR, on a flight to St Vincent. About 1208 AST, the pilot contacted ATC and indicated that he would like to divert to St Thomas. He informed the controller that he had 'feathered' the left engine due to loss of the left engine cowling, but he did not declare an emergency. He requested wind information for St Thomas, then at about 1613 AST, he changed his destination to Roosevelt Roads, PR. At 1120 AST, the pilot reported that the airplane was losing about 300'/min, then about 1 minute later, he said he was going to attempt an engine restart, and that the airplane was getting close to the water. A short time later, he informed ATC that he was not going to make it to shore. The pilot acknowledged info that search and rescue personnel were responding, then there was not further contact with the airplane. The airplane was located about 6 miles east of Roosevelt Roads NAS, but the pilot was not found. Review of weight and balance info revealed the pilot did not follow written procedures, and that the airplane exceeded the maximum authorized gross weight for take off. Flight crews had been informed of a communique from the manufacturer that there was no need to shut down an engine and feather the propeller unless engine performance or a major vibration problem confirmed the need.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper planning/decision concerning separation of the left engine cowling. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations, and/or to ensure the airplane was loaded in accordance with company procedures and the airplane flight manual; loss of the left engine cowling for undetermined reasons; and the pilot's decision not to follow written procedures by intentionally shutting down the left engine and feathering the propeller.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune off Roosevelt Roads NAS

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
148354
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
726-7242
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. The crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar on Mt Pico del Este: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
51-2667
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Roosevelt Roads - Homestead
MSN:
10656
YOM:
1951
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew departed Roosevelt Roads NAS on a routine flight to Homestead AFB, south Florida. Few minutes after takeoff, the radio communication systems apparently failed and the crew decided to return to his departure point for a safe landing. While cruising in poor visibility at an altitude of 3,400 feet, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located on the slope of the Pico del Este (1,036 meters high) located in the El Yunque National Park. As the airplane failed to return, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found a day later some 12 km west of Ceiba. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune at Roosevelt Roads NAS

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
147955
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
726-7205
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Roosevelt Roads NAS, failed to stop within the remaining distance and overran. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland CV-2B Caribou off Roosevelt Roads NAS

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
62-4152
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Schedule:
Roosevelt Roads - Roosevelt Roads
MSN:
88
YOM:
1963
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea some 13 km off Roosevelt Roads NAS while conducting a local training mission. The exact date of the occurrence (crashed somewhere in 1965) as well as the crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Canadair CL-28-2 Argus off Puerto Rico: 16 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
20727
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Roosevelt Roads - Roosevelt Roads
MSN:
18
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Roosevelt Roads NAS (Ceiba) for a night training mission with 14 crew members from the 404th Squadron and 2 scientists on board. While cruising overt the Atlantic, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean some 96 km north of Porto Rico. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 16 occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Lockheed WC-121N Super Constellation at Roosevelt Roads NAS

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1964
Operator:
Registration:
137891
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4378
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
4353
Circumstances:
Upon initial penetration of a storm eye (Hurricane Cleo) , the port wing tip fuel tank and portion of wing were torn away by extreme updraft turbulence. While trying to exit the storm, the starboard tip tank and larger portion of wing were torn away by extreme down draft turbulence. An emergency landing was made at NAS Roosevelt Roads located in Ceiba. All 23 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
In-flight structural failure caused by severe turbulences.

Crash of a De Havilland AC-1A-DH Caribou off Roosevelt Roads NAS

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
62-4151
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
87
YOM:
1963
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a long term training mission, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea some 13 km off the Roosevelt Roads NAS located in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. There were no casualties and the aircraft was later recovered but considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D off Roosevelt Roads NAS: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1950
Operator:
Registration:
43-49143
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Roosevelt Roads - Roosevelt Roads
MSN:
14959/26404
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Roosevelt Roads NAS, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea about 7 km off shore. All three crew members were killed.