# NTSB ATL96FAMS1: Aero Commander 500-B, N50GV, Missing, May 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report - Date: May 2, 1996, 00:00 local (04:00 UTC) - Place: Missing - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96FAMS1 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3659/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96FAMS1 ## Probable cause Undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Missing aircraft, unknown - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis The pilot departed on a VFR flight behind another company airplane. About 5 minutes after takeoff, the pilot informed the pilot in the lead airplane that he was having a generator problem, and that he would monitor them. The lead airplane landed at a different airport, and waited for the other pilot to join him after dropping off his passengers at another airport. The pilot did not arrive at either airport. All shipping vessels along the airplane's expected course were requested to report any sightings. No contact was reported and the search was terminated. Aircraft damage and injuries are presumed. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1996, at an undetermined time, an Aero Commander 500-B, N50GV, became missing, and is assumed destroyed, while over the Caribbean Sea. The airline transport pilot, and both passengers are missing, and presumed fatally injured. The airplane was being operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 135 by Domtrav Airways of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight departed St. Croix at about 0821, and was destined for Dominica. Company personnel stated that the missing airplane departed immediately after another company airplane (N95HM). They stated that both aircraft were flying the same route of flight to Dominica, but were landing at different airports on the island. The pilot of N95HM talked the pilot of the missing airplane about 5 minutes after departure. The pilot of the missing airplane informed the pilot of N95HM that the airplane was having generator problems, and that he would continue to monitor them. The pilot of N95HM canceled the VFR flight plans for both aircraft upon reaching the Guadeloupe Boundary at 0856. He continued to Melville Hall, Dominica, arriving at about 0935, and waited for N50GV. After waiting about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours for N50GV to arrive, a telephone and ramp search was initiated with negative results. An aerial search was initiated by N95HM at 1500 with negative results. A search was initiated by the United States Coast Guard on May 3, 1996. All shipping vessels located along N50GV flight course in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea were requested to look for the overdue airplane, and to report any sightings. No sightings were reported. The search was terminated on May 4, 1996. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Data was reviewed by the NTSB Meteorologist. The images indicate scattered clouds were present along the route from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to Canfield Airport in Dominica. There was no significant convective activity. Review of continuous data recording (CDR) generated by San Juan Combined Enroute Radar Approach, revealed no discrete radar targets that could be attributed to N50GV. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50GV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50GV-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 1308-120, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 500-B - Registry model: [Aero Commander 500-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-b) (registry code 0141106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1308-120 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-E1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Bernadette Pringle, doing business as Domtrav Airways - Registered owner: Ian Pringle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: STX, ST. CROIX - Destination: TDCF, DOMINICA, OF - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TIS, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960502009159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960502009159A), May 2, 1996: Gulstm 500B, Caribbean Sea, VI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flight of two departed st croix. One became missing reported generator problems to other flight. Aircraft not found From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.