Crash of a Convair CV-880-22M-22 in Miami

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1976 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5865
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Santo Domingo
MSN:
22-00-57
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16918
Captain / Total hours on type:
6643.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Miami-Intl to Santo Domingo, carrying three crew members and a load consisting of 37 cows. During the takeoff roll completed by night on runway 09L, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, collided with the localizer antenna located about 1,000 feet past the runway end and eventually came to rest into a ditch. All three crew members were seriously injured and all 37 cows were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with ditches during an aborted takeoff because the aircraft was improperly loaded. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Operational supervisory personnel: deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft weight and balance and CofG,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- CofG beyond the forward limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off Puerto Rico

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1976 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7334U
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - San Juan
MSN:
411-0034
YOM:
1964
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2118
Captain / Total hours on type:
107.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, the twin engine airplane was too low when it struck the water surface and crashed into the San Juan Bay, few hundred yards short of runway 09. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight with water on approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Rain,
- Visibility two miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-313 in Santo Domingo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HI-222
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Port-au-Prince
MSN:
2189
YOM:
1940
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 17 at Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right and crashed in a wooded area. A crew member and a passenger were killed while 28 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was caused by the failure of the right engine shortly after liftoff.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando off Santo Domingo

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HI-201
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Christiansted
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 Douglas DC-9-32 off Santo Domingo: 102 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1970 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HI-177
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - San Juan
MSN:
47500/546
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
DO603
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
97
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
102
Circumstances:
Two minutes after takeoff from runway 16 at Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ATC that the right engine failed and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the left engine failed as well. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed into the Caribbean Sea about three km offshore. Few debris were floating on water and others sank by a depth of 300 meters. All 102 occupants were killed among them the Dominican boxer Carlos Teo Cruz, world lightweight champion as well as a large part of the Puerto Rico's National Women's Volleyball Team.
Probable cause:
Brand new, the aircraft was delivered by Douglas Corp to Dominicana de Aviación last 16 of December 1969. Only few debris were recovered and unfortunately, both CVR & FDR were not found. Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the double engine failure may have been caused by the contamination of fuel by an important quantity of water.