# NTSB ATL97LA093: Convair 240-53, N344MM, San Juan, PR, June 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1997, 07:45 local (11:45 UTC) - Place: San Juan, PR - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3865/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA093 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, the pilot's improper emergency procedure after the powewr loss, and the overloading of the airplane, resulting in an inability to maintain altitude and terrain clearance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - 1 engine - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After departing from runway 08, the airplane climbed to 400 feet above ground level (agl) where the left engine lost power. After confirming a loss of power, the pilot feathered the left propeller, and called for maximum 'dry' thrust on the right engine. Wet power was available which would have provided 450 additional horsepower, however, the pilot elected not to use it. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, collided with a palm tree, and came to rest on the beach in the surf line. The reason for the left engine malfunction was not determined due to salt water damage. The airplane was 600 pounds over maximum weight. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1997, at 0745 eastern daylight time, a Convair 240-53, N344MM, collided with a tree and the ground after departing Luiz Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airplane was operated by Silver Express Co. as a non-scheduled, international, cargo flight, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 125 and visual flight rules. Although the prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions, an instrument flight plan was filed. The airline transport pilot in command and his commercial copilot were not injured, but the jumpseat rider received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot stated the airplane began its takeoff with the water/alcohol injection system on. After departing from runway 08 at Luiz Munoz Marin International Airport, the airplane climbed to 400 feet above ground level (agl) where the pilot began his first power reduction. At this time, the pilot stated, the engine began "backfiring" and emitting black smoke. After confirming a loss of power with his instruments, the pilot feathered the left propeller. He called "high lights" and told the co-pilot to increase the right throttle to maximum "dry power", or engine power without the use of water injection. This gave the right engine 53" of manifold pressure, as opposed to the 59" of manifold pressure available with water injection. According to a Convair Study Guide, when taking off with "wet" power, the pilot should use maximum "wet" power if losing an engine at the first power reduction. This "wet" power was limited to the first five minutes after take-off. The term "high lights" is not clear. According to the Convair Study Guide, the water injection system has two lights that indicate when the system is in operation. According to personnel at Silver Express, Co., "high lights" refers to maximum revolutions per minute (RPM). The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, so the crew decided to land on the beach to "get away from populated areas". The crew prepared to ditch the aircraft. It descended until it struck a palm tree, and came to rest on the beach, in the surf line. Both the wings and engines were separated from the aircraft by the impact. Also, the horizontal stabilizer was damaged. The left engine was later examined. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because of salt water damage. The salt water corroded the carburetor and magneto casings precluding any determination of their operating capability. According to the report provided by the inspector from the San Juan, PR, Flight Standards District Office, who interviewed the flight crew and examined the airplane, the airplane was 600 pounds overweight. He also stated that the flight crew did not comply with the airplane flight manual in that they failed to use all available engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N344MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N344MM-1998-02-13), registration cancelled 1998-02-13, S/N 525806 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Convair 240-53 - Registry model: [Convair 240-53](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-240-53) (registry code 242264A) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5326 - Airframe hours: 24793 - Engines: P&W R2800 2500 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 125 - Registered owner: Silver Express Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 3, 1997, 96 hours before - Departed: SJU - Destination: SDO, SANTO DOMINGO, OF - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SJU, Luiz Munoz Marin Intl, runway 8, 10,002 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, 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: 9,000 total, 6,970 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SJU, 1 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 19970630025929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970630025929A), Jun 30, 1997: Cvac 24053, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost left engine on initial climbout. Feathered. Failed use wet power on good. Eng. Crashed on beach. Over gross wt (-23) aircraft departed runway 08 sju lmm… 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.