# NTSB MIA78FA027: Douglas DC-3, N15598, Rio Grande, PR, January 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 2, 1978
- Place: Rio Grande, PR · RIO GRANDE, PR
- Location: 18.3789° N, 65.8389° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Río Grande, PR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.3789&lon=-65.8389&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA78FA027
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FA027

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1291   78/1/2  NR.RIO GRANDE,PR      DOUGLAS DC-3        CR-  0  0  3  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0800                    N15598              PX-  0  0  2  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      26, 3107 TOTAL HOURS, 965
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ST.THOMAS,VI                SAN JUAN,PR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT CREW
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CHECKLIST-FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- BOTH FUEL SELECTORS R MAIN,EMPTY.FUEL AVBL L TANKS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15598](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15598-1978-05-18), registration cancelled 1978-05-18, S/N 2258 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3) (registry code 3021401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780102017549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780102017549A), Jan 2, 1978: Doug C52B, Rio Grande,Pr, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Both fuel selectors r main,empty. Fuel avbl l tanks.

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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