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NTSB Report
October 29, 1986 · De Havilland DHC-3 · N778L
San Juan, PR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
San Juan, PR
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-3
Tail Number
N778L
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA87FA015
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT USED MOST OF THE RWY TO TAKEOFF, REACHED AN APRX ALTITUDE OF 60 FEET, THEN PULLED UP TO CLEAR AN EMBANKMENT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT STRUCK A TALL PALM TREE & CRASHED BETWEEN 2 ROADS, NEAR AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE ROADS MERGED. THE CARGO WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT & WEIGHED. COMPUTATIONS SHOWED THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE ACFT WAS EXCEEDED BY APPROXIMATELY 1928 LBS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT USED MOST OF THE RWY TO TAKEOFF, REACHED AN APRX ALTITUDE OF 60 FEET, THEN PULLED UP TO CLEAR AN EMBANKMENT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT STRUCK A TALL PALM TREE & CRASHED BETWEEN 2 ROADS, NEAR AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE ROADS MERGED. THE CARGO WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT & WEIGHED. COMPUTATIONS SHOWED THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE ACFT WAS EXCEEDED BY APPROXIMATELY 1928 LBS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 AST
Nearest AirportIsla Grande (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length5317 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DHC-3
Tail NumberN778L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats16
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:54
Weather SourceWFAC