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NTSB Report
October 23, 1984 · De Havilland DHC-4 · N5488R
Sable Island Ns, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Sable Island Ns, CA
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-4
Tail Number
N5488R
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85LA013
PLT DITCHED ACFT IN ATLANTIC OCEAN FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CO-PILOT STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF BAD WX ALONG THE ROUTE BUT THE PLT WAS ANXIOUS TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION. HEADWINDS ENCOUNTERED EN ROUTE WERE STRONGER THEN EXPECTED. CO-PILOT STATED THEY HAD SHUT DOWN ONE OF THE ENGINES APRX 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE DITCHING IN AN EFFORT TO CONSERVE FUEL.
Full Narrative
PLT DITCHED ACFT IN ATLANTIC OCEAN FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CO-PILOT STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF BAD WX ALONG THE ROUTE BUT THE PLT WAS ANXIOUS TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION. HEADWINDS ENCOUNTERED EN ROUTE WERE STRONGER THEN EXPECTED. CO-PILOT STATED THEY HAD SHUT DOWN ONE OF THE ENGINES APRX 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE DITCHING IN AN EFFORT TO CONSERVE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:07 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DHC-4
Tail NumberN5488R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-2000-7M2 · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 9 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourceWFAC