Aguadilla – San Juan
Flight / Schedule
Aguadilla – San Juan
Aircraft
Beechcraft D18Registration
N500L
MSN
A-415
Year of Manufacture
1948
Operator
Air CaribbeanDate
September 26, 1978 at 06:45 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
City
Crash Location
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde) All Puerto Rico
Region
Central America • Puerto Rico
Crash Cause
Other causes
Narrative Report
On September 26, 1978 at 06:45 PM, Aguadilla – San Juan experienced a crash involving Beechcraft D18, operated by Air Caribbean, with the event recorded near San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde) All Puerto Rico.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a city crash site.
6 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is other causes. On final approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses located in the district of Barrio Obrero, about 4 km short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Few people on the ground were injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration N500L, MSN A-415, year of manufacture 1948.
Fatalities
Total
6
Crew
1
Passengers
5
Other
0
Crash Summary
On final approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses located in the district of Barrio Obrero, about 4 km short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Few people on the ground were injured.
Cause: Other causes
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
5
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 6
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Aguadilla – San Juan
Operator
Air CaribbeanFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
City
Region / Country
Central America • Puerto Rico
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Pan American World Airways - PAA
Loening C-W Air Yacht
While taking off from the bay in Puerto Rico, the seaplane hit an embankment and came to rest. Both crew members were rescued and the aircraft sank.
Pan American World Airways - PAA
Sikorsky S-38
Upon landing off San Juan, the floatplane collided with an undetermined floating object and was damaged beyond repair. All nine occupants were rescued.
United States Army Air Corps - USAAC
Sikorsky S-43
Crashed into the sea shortly after take off following an engine failure. Crew fate unknown.
Pan American World Airways - PAA
Sikorsky S-42
Following an uneventful flight, the crew completed the approach to the San Juan harbor in good weather conditions. Upon landing on water in a nose down attitude, the seaplane plunged into the water and came to rest. Two passengers were killed while all 25 other occupants were rescued. Crew: Charles A. Lorber, pilot, Harvey E. Breaux, copilot, John Donovan Donnelley, flight engineer, W. P. Mahoney, radio navigator, Joe Catala, steward, A. E. Calligari, steward. Source & photos: http://www.webstart.com/jed/house/NC15376/
United States Army Air Forces - USAAF
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
After touchdown at Borinquen Airport, the aircraft went out off control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames into an airport building. The crew fate remains unknown.
United States Army Air Forces - USAAF
Douglas C-39 (DC-2)
While flying in a valley in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit a mountain shrouded in clouds. All 22 occupants were killed, among them three civilians. According to USAF, the aircraft hit the mountain slope sixty metres from the summit and the cloud base was around 1,200 metres. The twin engine aircraft was following a 150° heading and was flying at a cruising speed at the time of the accident. Crew: Francis H. Durant, pilot, 4.
