Christiansted - Charlotte Amalie

On October 28, 1986 at 09:15 AM, Christiansted - Charlotte Amalie experienced a crash involving Grumman G-73 Mallard, operated by Virgin Island Seaplane Shuttle, with the event recorded near Christiansted All US Virgin Islands.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

15 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 14 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 6.7%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 13, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The pilots lost aileron control shortly after takeoff while in a left turn. The left turning tendencies of the aircraft could not be corrected and the aircraft crash landed in the Caribbean Sea. Post crash inspection of the aircraft revealed the left aileron control cable was trapped within a bundle of electrical wires and cables. This occurred when an electrical cable from a reverse current relay in the right wing to the main junction box in the left cabin area at the center wing was changed and secured. The aileron cable chafed through the protective cover of the large electrical cable. When contact was made with the metal electrical cable the aileron cable arched at several points and separated at two different points causing a loss of aileron control. A passenger was killed while 14 other occupants were rescued.

Aircraft reference details include registration N604SS, MSN J-4, year of manufacture 1946.