Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 24 August 1977
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
Owner/operator: Quarterwinds Aviation, lsf Caribbean Air Services
Registration Number: N74689
Location: off Goyave –
ÿ Guadeloupe
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: EngineEngine
Category: Accident
An aircraft carrying oranges and bananas from Dominica to Saint Croix experienced a significant engine failure. The engine misfired, leading to a drop in oil pressure and subsequent power reduction. This resulted in a descent and subsequent ditching offshore due to proximity to the coast and the presence of a DC-3.An aircraft carrying oranges and bananas from Dominica to Saint Croix experienced a significant engine failure. The engine misfired, leading to a drop in oil pressure and subsequent power reduction. This resulted in a descent and subsequent ditching offshore due to proximity to the coast and the presence of a DC-3.
Description
The aircraft was carrying oranges and bananas from Dominica to Saint Croix when the no. 1 engine misfired. The engine was throttled back and stopped a short while later. A drop in oil pressure then forced the pilot to reduce power on the remaining engine. The aircraft started to descent and was ditched offshore. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Engine failure with low oil pressure. Failure of the second engine consequent on a prolonged increase in power, necessitated by the failure of the first engine. The proximity of the coast and the presence of a DC-3 in flight ensured a favourable outcome, whilst the pilot had made a perfect ditching.”
Primary Cause
Engine failure with low oil pressure.Engine failure with low oil pressure.Share on:
