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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 5, 1990 · Lockheed L-1049F · HI515

Levittown, PR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Levittown, PR
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1049F
Tail Number
HI515
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA90FA101

THE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF ON A THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. DURING THE THREE ENGINE CLIMB OUT WITH THE NO.3 PROPELLER FEATHERED, THE NO.2 ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND HE COULD NOT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN AND DURING THE DESCENT THE NO.1 ENGINE FAILED. HE THEN INTENTIONALLY DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN, AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN AND NO DETERMINATION OF CAUSE COULD BE ASCERTAINED.

NTSB Probable Cause

FIRE OF AN UNDETERMINED ORIGIN THAT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER IN TWO ENGINES DURING A THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION FOR THE THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT, AND HIS OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES.

Full Narrative

THE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF ON A THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. DURING THE THREE ENGINE CLIMB OUT WITH THE NO.3 PROPELLER FEATHERED, THE NO.2 ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND HE COULD NOT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN AND DURING THE DESCENT THE NO.1 ENGINE FAILED. HE THEN INTENTIONALLY DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN, AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN AND NO DETERMINATION OF CAUSE COULD BE ASCERTAINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 AST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed L-1049F
Tail NumberHI515
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines4
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCurtis Wright · R-3350 · Reciprocating · 2800
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data