# NTSB MIA87FA015: de Havilland DHC-3, N778L, San Juan, PR, October 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1986, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT USED MOST OF THE RWY TO TAKEOFF, REACHED AN APRX ALTITUDE OF 60 FEET, THEN PULLED UP TO CLEAR AN EMBANKMENT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT STRUCK A TALL PALM TREE & CRASHED BETWEEN 2 ROADS, NEAR AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE ROADS MERGED. THE CARGO WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT & WEIGHED. COMPUTATIONS SHOWED THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE ACFT WAS EXCEEDED BY APPROXIMATELY 1928 LBS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N778L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N778L-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 55-3245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-3
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-3) (registry code 2800202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: S5-3245
- Airframe hours: 6290
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Indep-Line Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1986
- Airport: SIG, Isla Grande, runway 9, 5,317 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 5 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 19861029052159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861029052159A), Oct 29, 1986: Dhav DHC3, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Destroyed. The aircraft hit a tree during takeoff. Gross weight was one ton over maximum which reduced climb performance.

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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