Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Christiansted: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1981 at 1159 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
P. R. Gerrits
Registration:
N6600M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Juan - Christiansted
MSN:
680-1367-41
YOM:
1963
Location:
Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen (ex Alexander Hamilton)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport, the twin engine airplane rolled to the left and descended until it crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Fuel boost pump found in off position,
- Fuel selector to outboard tanks,
- Mixtures lean,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando off San Juan

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1977 at 1413 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HI-208
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan - Santo Domingo
MSN:
30685
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Juan-Isla Grande (Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8200
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew could not feather the propeller and control was lost. The airplane lost speed and height and crashed into the sea near the airport. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during climb to cruise due to inadequate maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of the ignition system: ignition harness, shielding,
- Failure of the hydraulic pitch control mechanism,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failure of the electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Failure of the electrical system: batteries,
- Prop distributor valve losse,
- Right engine generator inoperative,
- Battery weakened.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off Puerto Rico

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1976 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Registration:
N7334U
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - San Juan
MSN:
411-0034
YOM:
1964
Location:
San Juan-Isla Grande (Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
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 Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander into the Atlantic Ocean

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1971 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
International Sky Cab Airlines
Registration:
N857JA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan - Cockburn Harbour
MSN:
92
YOM:
1969
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed San Juan-Isla Grande Airport with deficiencies with the radio navigation equipment. En route, he lost his orientation and became lost. He ditched the plane in the Atlantic Ocean and was quickly rescued by the crew of a ship. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
The pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Pilot knew that the radio navigation equipment was malfunctioning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor in San Juan

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
44-86920
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8179
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Juan-Isla Grande (Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport following an engine failure. The aircraft was written off and all occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-39 near Coamo: 22 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1942 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-39 (DC-2)
Operator:
Registration:
38-524
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Juana Díaz – San Juan
MSN:
2081
YOM:
1939
Location:
Coamo
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Juana Díaz-Losey Field on a flight to San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, carrying five crew members and 17 passengers, among them three civilians. While flying in a valley in limited visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain shrouded by clouds. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 22 occupants were killed. According to USAF, the airplane hit the mountain about 60 metres below the summit and the cloud base was around 1,200 metres. The aircraft was following a 150° heading and was flying at cruising speed at the time of the accident.
Crew:
Cpt Francis H. Durant, pilot,
2nd Lt George Harry Beach,
1st Lt Rufus N. Garrett Jr.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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