San Juan - Santo Domingo

After departing from runway 08, the airplane climbed to 400 feet above ground level (agl) where the left engine lost power. After confirming a loss of power, the pilot feathered the left propeller, and called for maximum 'dry' thrust on the right engine. Wet power was available which would have provided 450 additional horsepower, however, the pilot elected not to use it. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, collided with a palm tree, and came to rest on the beach in the surf line. The reason for the left engine malfunction was not determined due to salt water damage. The airplane was 600 pounds over maximum weight.

Flight / Schedule

San Juan - Santo Domingo

Aircraft

Convair CV-240

Registration

N344MM

MSN

53-26

Year of Manufacture

1954

Date

June 30, 1997 at 07:45 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde) All Puerto Rico

Region

Central America • Puerto Rico

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On June 30, 1997 at 07:45 AM, San Juan - Santo Domingo experienced a crash involving Convair CV-240, operated by Silver Express Company, with the event recorded near San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde) All Puerto Rico.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a plain, valley crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

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

The listed crash cause is technical failure. After departing from runway 08, the airplane climbed to 400 feet above ground level (agl) where the left engine lost power. After confirming a loss of power, the pilot feathered the left propeller, and called for maximum 'dry' thrust on the right engine. Wet power was available which would have provided 450 additional horsepower, however, the pilot elected not to use it. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, collided with a palm tree, and came to rest on the beach in the surf line. The reason for the left engine malfunction was not determined due to salt water damage. The airplane was 600 pounds over maximum weight.

Aircraft reference details include registration N344MM, MSN 53-26, year of manufacture 1954.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

After departing from runway 08, the airplane climbed to 400 feet above ground level (agl) where the left engine lost power. After confirming a loss of power, the pilot feathered the left propeller, and called for maximum 'dry' thrust on the right engine. Wet power was available which would have provided 450 additional horsepower, however, the pilot elected not to use it. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, collided with a palm tree, and came to rest on the beach in the surf line. The reason for the left engine malfunction was not determined due to salt water damage. The airplane was 600 pounds over maximum weight.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

1

Estimated Survivors

3

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 3

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

San Juan - Santo Domingo

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

Central America • Puerto Rico

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Convair CV-240

Registration

N344MM

MSN

53-26

Year of Manufacture

1954