# NTSB DCA87MA030: CASA C-212-CC, N432CA, Mayaguez, PR, May 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1987, 06:50 local (10:50 UTC)
- Place: Mayaguez, PR
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA87MA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA87MA030

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories - asymmetrical (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - inadequate, company maintenance personnel
  - supervision - inadequate, company maintenance personnel
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization)
  - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER SEVERAL MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENTS OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER AND FLIGHT IDLE FUEL FLOW, THE AIRCRAFT WAS TEST FLOWN AND RELEASED FOR FLIGHT. SEVERAL PILOTS CONTINUED TO NOTE DESCREPANCIES CONCERNING THE RIGHT PROPELLER SYSTEM. ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS AGAIN RELEASED FOR FLIGHT. AT MAYAGUEZ, THE CREW MADE A SHORT, STEEP APPROACHTO THE RUNWAY. ON VERY SHORT FINAL WITNESSES SAID THEY HEARD SOUNDS RESEMBLING A PROPELLER IN REVERSE THRUST. THE AIRCRAFT MADE AN EXTREME YAW TO THE RIGHT, FOLLOWED BY A LEFT BANK, THEN A RIGHT BANK. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED RIGHT WING FIRST. THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT PROPELLER HAD BEEN IN THE BETA RANGE. THE RIGHT ENGINE FLIGHT IDLE FUEL FLOW WAS EXCESSIVELY HIGH. EXAM OF THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM SHOWED DEFICIENCIES IN THE MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, AND HANDLING OF PILOT-REPORTED PROBLEMS. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO FOUND THE FAA MANAGEMENT OF THE BILATERAL TYPE CERTIFICATION OF THE C-212-CC INEFFECTIVE. (FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEE NTSB/AAR-88/07.)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N432CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N432CA-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 271, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASA C-212-CC
- Registry model: [Construcciones Aeronauticas CASA-212-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/construcciones-aeronauticas-casa-212-200) (registry code 2410304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 271
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-10R 900 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Executive Air Charter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 7, 1987, 10 hours before
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: MAZ, MAYAGUEZ, PR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MAZ, Mayaguez, runway 9, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,802 total, 473 in this make and model, 78 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAZ

## 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 19870508080109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870508080109A), May 8, 1987: Casa C212CC, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed short of runway. Prop blade angles set incorrect caused asymetric thrust. Pilot had made an unstable approach

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.

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