Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 5 April 1990
Aircraft Type: Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation
Owner/operator: Aerolineas Mundo – AMSA
Registration Number: HI-515CT
Location: off Levittown –
ÿ Puerto Rico
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: The aircraft’s engines (no. 3, 2, and 1).The aircraft’s engines (no. 3, 2, and 1).
Category: Accident
A Constellation ferry flight experienced a series of critical failures, beginning with the loss of the no. 3 engine, followed by a fire on the no. 2 engine, and ultimately, a complete ditching offshore. The incident was likely caused by an unidentified fire originating in one of the engines, exacerbated by pilot negligence and pre-existing aircraft deficiencies.A Constellation ferry flight experienced a series of critical failures, beginning with the loss of the no. 3 engine, followed by a fire on the no. 2 engine, and ultimately, a complete ditching offshore. The incident was likely caused by an unidentified fire originating in one of the engines, exacerbated by pilot negligence and pre-existing aircraft deficiencies.
Description
The pilot took off on a three-engined (the no. 3 engine feathered) ferry flight without authorization. The no. 2 engine caught fire on climbout, followed by the a no. 1 engine failure. The Constellation was then ditched just offshore. 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.”
Primary Cause
Unidentified fire originating in one of the engines during a three-engine ferry flight, compounded by pilot negligence and pre-existing aircraft deficiencies.Unidentified fire originating in one of the engines during a three-engine ferry flight, compounded by pilot negligence and pre-existing aircraft deficiencies.Share on:
