San Juan - San Juan
Flight / Schedule
San Juan - San Juan
Aircraft
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)Registration
N90360
MSN
60-0212-093
Year of Manufacture
1975
Operator
Executive AirDate
June 20, 1988 at 12:52 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Positioning
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
San Juan-Isla Grande (Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci) All Puerto Rico
Region
Central America • Puerto Rico
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On June 20, 1988 at 12:52 PM, San Juan - San Juan experienced a crash involving Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600), operated by Executive Air, with the event recorded near San Juan-Isla Grande (Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci) All Puerto Rico.
The flight was categorized as positioning and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
1 people were known to be on board, 1 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: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. As the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff, witnesses noted the left rear baggage door was unlocked and hanging down. A warning was relayed to the pilot via the tower, but by then the aircraft was airborne and the pilot had reported a control problem. During lift-off, the aircraft pitched up sharply and entered an immediate right bank of about 45°. As the gear retracted, the bank angle decreased to about 20°. The aircraft was reported to yaw slightly from side to side and circle to the right while climbing to about 1,000 feet. A witness (in radio contact) asked the pilot about the problem; the pilot replied the controls (ctls) were locked to one side. On advice of others, the pilot tried to control the aircraft with engine power adjustments, but the aircraft lost altitude to about 200 feet agl. Subsequently, while maneuvering, it struck a tree, then hit a utility pole and crashed. During impact the lower fuselage, which housed the flight control linkages, was badly damaged. No preimpact mechanical problem was verified concerning the flight controls, autopilot or trim. A pilot, who had previously flown the aircraft with the baggage door open, said he experienced no adverse control problems. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration N90360, MSN 60-0212-093, year of manufacture 1975.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
1
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
As the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff, witnesses noted the left rear baggage door was unlocked and hanging down. A warning was relayed to the pilot via the tower, but by then the aircraft was airborne and the pilot had reported a control problem. During lift-off, the aircraft pitched up sharply and entered an immediate right bank of about 45°. As the gear retracted, the bank angle decreased to about 20°. The aircraft was reported to yaw slightly from side to side and circle to the right while climbing to about 1,000 feet. A witness (in radio contact) asked the pilot about the problem; the pilot replied the controls (ctls) were locked to one side. On advice of others, the pilot tried to control the aircraft with engine power adjustments, but the aircraft lost altitude to about 200 feet agl. Subsequently, while maneuvering, it struck a tree, then hit a utility pole and crashed. During impact the lower fuselage, which housed the flight control linkages, was badly damaged. No preimpact mechanical problem was verified concerning the flight controls, autopilot or trim. A pilot, who had previously flown the aircraft with the baggage door open, said he experienced no adverse control problems. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 1
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
San Juan - San Juan
Operator
Executive AirFlight Type
Positioning
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Central America • Puerto Rico
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)Registration
N90360
MSN
60-0212-093
Year of Manufacture
1975
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