Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 2 August 1984
Aircraft Type: Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander
Owner/operator: Vieques Air Link
Registration Number: N589SA
Location: 0,8 km off Vieques Airport (VQS) – ÿ Puerto Rico
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
Component Affected: Aircraft Engine (Left Engine)Aircraft Engine (Left Engine)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An Islander aircraft experienced a catastrophic accident due to a combination of factors. The aircraft was overloaded, its center of gravity was significantly low, and a critical engine failed shortly after takeoff. Subsequent loss of altitude, abrupt banking, nose-down trajectory, and subsequent impact with the ocean resulted in a fatal crash. Preliminary investigation suggests contamination of the fuel with water, potentially exacerbated by inadequate water removal from the airport’s in-ground fuel tank. The pilot lacked proper certification and inadequate training, and the failure to follow established emergency procedures contributed to the incident. The incident highlights regulatory failures related to airport operations and pilot certification standards.An Islander aircraft experienced a catastrophic accident due to a combination of factors. The aircraft was overloaded, its center of gravity was significantly low, and a critical engine failed shortly after takeoff. Subsequent loss of altitude, abrupt banking, nose-down trajectory, and subsequent impact with the ocean resulted in a fatal crash. Preliminary investigation suggests contamination of the fuel with water, potentially exacerbated by inadequate water removal from the airport’s in-ground fuel tank. The pilot lacked proper certification and inadequate training, and the failure to follow established emergency procedures contributed to the incident. The incident highlights regulatory failures related to airport operations and pilot certification standards.

Description

The Islander was overloaded by 600-700 pounds when it departed Vieques. Also, its centre of gravity was up to 5 inches behind the aft limit. After takeoff the left engine lost power. It lost altitude, banked abruptly to the left, nosed down and crashed into the ocean. It appeared that the fuel had been contaminated with water. The pilot was not certificated to fly as pilot-in-command of a commuter air carrier flight. The two previous flights flown by the pilot and the accident flight were scheduled flights, operated with a different flight number as “on-demand” flights, for which the pilot was certified. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The failure of the pilot to execute the emergency engine-out procedure properly shortly after takeoff following a loss of power in the left engine because of water in the airplane’s fuel system and the failure of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to remove excess water known to be in the airport’s in-ground fuel tank before conducting fueling operations. The pilot’s failure to execute the engine-out procedure properly was due to his inexperience in multi-engine airplanes. Contributing to the accident were: (1) the air carrier’s use of a pilot not certificated for the flight; (2) the air carrier’s failure to train the pilot adequately; (3) the pilot’s failure to follow proper practices to detect water in the airplane’s fuel tanks; (4) the out of weight and balance condition of the airplane; (5) the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) incorrect application of 14 CFR Part 135 Rules to commuter air carriers; and (6) the FAA’s generally inadequate surveillance of the air carrier.”

Primary Cause

Pilot inexperience in multi-engine airplane operations, inadequate training, failure to follow emergency procedures, fuel contamination, and inadequate airport surveillance.Pilot inexperience in multi-engine airplane operations, inadequate training, failure to follow emergency procedures, fuel contamination, and inadequate airport surveillance.

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