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

Similar Plane Crashes

October 29, 1928 at 12:00 AM

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.

August 12, 1931 at 12:00 AM

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.

March 26, 1941 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Corps - USAAC

Sikorsky S-43

Crashed into the sea shortly after take off following an engine failure. Crew fate unknown.

October 3, 1941 at 05:48 PM2 Fatalities

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/

July 12, 1942 at 12:00 AM

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.

October 1, 1942 at 09:30 AM22 Fatalities

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.