Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 11 April 1936
Aircraft Type: Sikorsky S-42
Owner/operator: Pan American Airways (Pan Am)
Registration Number: NC824M
Location: Port of Spain –
ÿ Trinidad and Tobago
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 25
Component Affected: Aircraft structure and control systems.Aircraft structure and control systems.
Category: Accident
A Sikorsky S-42, the Puerto Rican Clipper, experienced a catastrophic accident at Port of Spain, Trinidad. The aircraft, originating from Miami, Florida, was en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with intermediate stops planned in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Natal, Brazil. The pilot detected a fishing boat and swerved sharply to avoid it, resulting in a pontoon striking the aircraft and subsequent overturning. Three occupants tragically perished.A Sikorsky S-42, the Puerto Rican Clipper, experienced a catastrophic accident at Port of Spain, Trinidad. The aircraft, originating from Miami, Florida, was en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with intermediate stops planned in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Natal, Brazil. The pilot detected a fishing boat and swerved sharply to avoid it, resulting in a pontoon striking the aircraft and subsequent overturning. Three occupants tragically perished.
Description
A Sikorsky S-42 flying boat, named “Puerto Rican Clipper”, was damaged in an accident at Port of Spain, Trinidad. The flight originated in Miami, FL and was bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina. Intermediate stops were planned at amongst others Port of Spain, Trinidad and Natal, Brazil. It was taking off when the pilot saw a fishing boat in his path and swerved sharply to avoid it but one pontoon struck the boat and the plane reportedly overturned. Three occupants drowned.
Primary Cause
Pilot error ? swerving to avoid a fishing boat resulted in a catastrophic impact.Pilot error ? swerving to avoid a fishing boat resulted in a catastrophic impact.Share on:
