# NTSB MIA86MA217: Douglas DC-3, N27PR, Isla Verde, PR, July 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1986, 13:53 local (17:53 UTC)
- Place: Isla Verde, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86MA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86MA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,ring - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,master rod - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - performed
  - precautionary landing - initiated
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - comm/nav equipment,transmitter - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE BGN TO DETERIORATE & THE R ENG STARTED TO OVERHEAT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE R ENG WAS FEATHERED & THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. THE RADIO TRANSMITTER BCM UNINTELLIGIBLE, SO THE TOWER PSNL CLEARED THE ACFT TO LAND ON RWY 10 & ASKED THE CREW TO KEY THEIR MIKE TWICE, IF THEY UNDERSTOOD. THE MIKE WASKEYED TWICE. THE ACFT ENTERED A R DWNWND FOR RWY 10 AT A VERY LOW ALT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WENT INTO A STEEP BANK AS IT WAS TURNING ONTO A BASE LEG OVER WATER, THE R WING TIP HIT THE WATER & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED & CRASHED. THE COPLT RPRTD THAT AFTER FEATHERING THE R ENG, THE VMC OF 84 KTS WAS MAINTAINED; HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED THE ACFT STALLEDJUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. A TEARDOWN OF THE R ENG REVEALED THE EDGE OF THE #8 PISTON & ITS PISTON RINGS HAD FAILED. METAL FILINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL & THE OIL PUMP WAS SCORED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION TO THE CRANKSHAFT JOURNAL,AS WELL AS PISTON SLAP ASSOCIATED WITH THE RING FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N27PR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11776
- Airframe hours: 44394
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-202A 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Diaz Aviation Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 28, 1986, 97 hours before
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: SKB, ST. KITT, OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SJU, Puerto Rico Intl, runway 10, 8,016 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 29,100 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °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 19860722046729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860722046729A), Jul 22, 1986: Doug DC3, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Destroyed. Engine failed on climbout due to rod bearing failure. Stalled and hit water turning into dead engine low and slow

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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