Vieques Air Link

Britten-Norman BN-2B-27 Islander

A Britten-Norman BN-2B-27 Islander, N865VL, veered off the runway while landing and went into a drainage ditch. The FAA reported the accident occurred at Culebra Airport (CPX)at 19:18 UTC. The final ADS-B datapoint received from the aircraft by various flight tracking websites on the accident day is during landing at Vieques Airport (VQS) at 13:4 UTC.

Britten-Norman Islander

Flight 901A departed the ramp in Vieques about 0755 with eight passengers aboard, all of whom had reserved seats and purchased tickets for Flight 901. The pilot of Flight 901A contacted the UNICOM as he taxied out to the takeoff end of runway 09. The UNICOM operator informed hym that there was no other traffic in the area. According to a mechanic at the airport, after takeoff, the airplane appeared to climb out normally; however, he said that as the airplane turned left in a crosswind departure pattern, it appeared to lose power when about 200 feet above the ocean. He stated that the airplane then gained about 50 feet, while in a nose-high attitude, and that he then heard the engines develop more power, before the plane descended into the ocean. The airplane had crashed into the ocean north of the departure end of runway 09 and about 1/2 mile off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.

Britten-Norman Islander

While approaching Vieques on a flight from Christiansted, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea few miles offshore. Five passengers were killed and five other occupants were injured .

Britten-Norman Islander

On approach to Culebra Island Airport, the pilot encountered unfavorable weather conditions and decided to land on runway 13 instead of runway 31. After the twin engine aircraft passed over the last hill, it landed hard and bounced several times. The pilot initiated a go-around manoeuvre when the airplane struck a house and crashed. The pilot and a passenger were seriously injured while six other occupants were slightly injured.