ATL97FA113

On August 7, 1997, about 1248 Atlantic Standard Time, two Britten-Norman BN-2 airplanes, collided in flight, over the landing threshold of runway 08, at the Diego Jimenez Airport, Fajardo, Puerto Rico (PR). Both airplanes were conducting a visual approach at the uncontrolled airport. The pilot of N1202S, was executing a non-standard right traffic pattern approach to landing, while the pilot of N26JA was executing a standard left traffic pattern approach to landing. The airplanes collided over the approach threshold of runway 08, about 100 feet agl. Passengers on N26JA, stated that the other airplane was coming from the right much lower then their airplane and disappeared under them. The next time they saw the other airplane they were colliding into its tail section. Examination of both airplanes revealed no mechanical discrepancies.

On August 7, 1997, about 1248 Atlantic Standard Time, two Britten-Norman BN-2 airplanes, collided in flight, over the landing threshold of runway 08, at the Diego Jimenez Airport, Fajardo, Puerto Rico (PR). Both airplanes were conducting a visual approach at the uncontrolled airport. The pilot of N1202S, was executing a non-standard right traffic pattern approach to landing, while the pilot of N26JA was executing a standard left traffic pattern approach to landing. The airplanes collided over the approach threshold of runway 08, about 100 feet agl. Passengers on N26JA, stated that the other airplane was coming from the right much lower then their airplane and disappeared under them. The next time they saw the other airplane they were colliding into its tail section. Examination of both airplanes revealed no mechanical discrepancies.

History of flight

On August 7, 1997, about 1248 Atlantic Standard Time, two Britten-Norman BN-2 airplanes, collided in flight, over the landing threshold of runway 8 at the Diego Jimenez Airport, Fajardo, Puerto Rico (PR). N1202S, was registered to Aero Bieke, Inc., AKA Trans-Caribbean Airlines, and operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 for a personal flight. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and two passengers were not injured, while a third passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed Vieques, PR, about 1230 on the same day. N26JA, was operated by Flamenco Airways, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 as a scheduled commuter flight. The ATP rated pilot and four passengers were not injured, 4 passengers received minor injuries, one passenger received a serious injury, and the airplane sustained substantially damaged. The flight originated at Culebra, PR, about 1228, on the same day. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the Fajardo airport at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed for either flight.

Both airplanes were conducting a visual approach to runway 08, at the uncontrolled airport. The pilot of N1202S, was executing a non-standard right traffic pattern approach to landing, while the pilot of N26JA was executing a standard left traffic pattern approach to landing. The airplanes collided over the approach threshold of runway 08, about 100 feet agl.

See factual report of investigation ATL-97-FA-113A, for complete report.

History of flight

On August 7, 1997, about 1248 Atlantic Standard Time, two Britten-Norman BN-2 airplanes, collided in flight, over the landing threshold of runway 8 at the Diego Jimenez Airport, Fajardo, Puerto Rico (PR). N1202S, was registered to Aero Bieke, Inc., AKA Trans-Caribbean Airlines, and operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 for a personal flight. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and two passengers were not injured, while a third passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed Vieques, PR, about 1230 on the same day. N26JA, was operated by Flamenco Airways, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 as a scheduled commuter flight. The ATP rated pilot and four passengers were not injured, 4 passengers received minor injuries, one passenger received a serious injury, and the airplane sustained substantial damaged. The flight originated at Culebra, PR, about 1228, on the same day. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the Fajardo airport at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed nor was it required for either flight.

Both airplanes were conducting a visual approach to runway 08, at the uncontrolled airport. The pilot of N1202S, was executing a non-standard right traffic pattern approach to landing, while the pilot of N26JA was executing a standard left traffic pattern approach to landing. The airplanes collided over the approach threshold of runway 08, about 100 feet agl.

A passenger seated in the right front seat of N26JA, said that as her aircraft turned on final, she saw the other aircraft [N1202S] out the right window at about the 3:00 o'clock position, (the nose as 12:00 o'clock) and just under the wing. She said that the other aircraft was in a wings level attitude coming right at her, and that when the other aircraft disappeared it still appeared to be going straight wings level. She did not think her pilot saw the other aircraft, and she was not sure how long after the other aircraft disappeared that she felt the impact and saw the other aircraft pointed straight up in front of her aircraft.

A passenger seated in the right rear seat of N26JA, said that the first time she saw the other aircraft it was turning right base to final, but lower than her aircraft. When asked, she said that she recalled the other aircraft was white in color with yellow stripes, and it went under her aircraft and disappeared and she tried to look for it. She said the noise kept her from talking easily with the Judge but he was looking for the other aircraft also, She shouted "MY GOD did you see that aircraft". She looked to see if the pilot of her aircraft had seen the other aircraft. At first he had no reaction, but then he was looking up as if for something above him, her impression was that he saw nothing and continued the descent for landing. She said when she looked out the right window again she was able to see the tail of the other aircraft in front of her, then she started to scream. The other aircraft pitched up and the pilot of her aircraft look surprised, as if this was the first time he had seen the other aircraft. She said that she then could hear the sound of the propeller of her aircraft cutting into the tail of the other aircraft, it then fell off to the left of her aircraft.

A passenger seated in a rear seat of N26JA, on the right side said he first saw the other aircraft when his aircraft was on the downwind about abeam the terminal building, but low, so low that he thought that it was a Agricultural spray plane. He said that his aircraft had lined up on final then he saw the other aircraft come under his aircraft and he was able to see the wing out his left window as if the two aircraft were on a parallel course then it disappeared. He said that he next felt the impact but never saw the other aircraft again.

Attempts were made to interview passengers on N1202S, however, they were unsuccessful.

Personnel information

The pilot of Trans Caribbean Airlines N1202S, held an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) for airplane multiengine land, Commercial pilot certificate for airplane single engine land, and a Flight Instructor certificate for airplane single and multiengine instrument airplanes. The pilot was issued an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report, however, it had not been received at the time of this report. The pilot reported 6,200 civilian flight hours in all aircraft on the application for the most recent medical certificate, which was dated March 31, 1997.

The pilot of Flamenco Airways Inc., Flight 202, N26JA, held an ATP Certificate for airplane multiengine land, and a Commercial pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. The pilot reported in his NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that he had accumulated 37,000 hours in all aircraft and 3,200 in type. His most recent first class medical certificate was issued on February 26, 1997, with a restriction that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot's last proficiency check was a biennial flight review on February 9, 1997, in a Britten Norman BN2A-8 Islander.

Aircraft information

The Britten-Norman BN2A-26 Islander, N1202S, Serial Number 193, is a 10 seat, twin engine airplane. According to maintenance records the airplane received an Annual Inspection on May 13, 1997, with a recorded total airframe time of 16,892.7 hours. Both cockpit seats remained attached and were equipped with shoulder restraints. All of the passenger seats remained attached to their attachment points and were equipped with emergency briefing cards and floatation devices. The pilot reported that the aircraft and engines were working properly at the time of the accident.

The Britten-Norman BN2A-8 Islander, N26JA, Serial Number 375, is a 10 seat, twin engine airplane. According to maintenance records the airplane received a 100 hour inspection on August 5, 1997, with a recorded total airframe time of 24,737.9 hours. Both cockpit seats remained attached and were equipped with shoulder restraints. All of the passenger seats remained attached to their attachment points and were equipped with emergency briefing cards and floatation devices. The pilot reported that the aircraft and engines were working properly at the time of the accident.

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Additional meteorological information may be obtained in this report on page 4 under section titled Weather Information.

Airport information

Diego Jimenez Torres Airport-X95, is located about one mile Northeast of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The airport is publicly owned, by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airport has no control tower, but does have attendants between 0600 and 1830. The airport reports aircraft operations per year at 25,688. Active runway 08/26, length 3600 feet by 75 feet. The standard traffic pattern for runway 08, is left, the standard traffic pattern for runway 26, is right, and pattern altitude is 1200, feet agl.

Wreckage and impact information

Flamenco Airways, N26JA, was found close to the approach end of runway 08, about 100 feet right of the runway center line facing in a westerly direction. Paint similar to that found on the bottom of the airframe was found on the runway at the impact point where the right main gear collapsed on the runway, about 6 feet right of the runway center line and subsequently skidded in a southeasterly direction across the runway, then into the grass. Numerous gouges were noted in the runway surface consistent with damage observed on the right hand propeller blades and the right main landing gear. Paint similar to that found on N1202S's elevator and horizontal stabilizers was noted on the right side of the nose section of the aircraft.

Trans Caribbean Airlines, N1202S, was found adjacent to the approach end of runway 08, partia