# NTSB MIA87FA040: de Havilland DHC-6, N930MA, San Juan, PR, November 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1986, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ON TAKEOFF ROLL AS THE NOSE WHEEL WAS LIFTED AT APRX 60 KNOTS, THE ACFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE GLIDE SLOPE BUILDING. THE LEFT ENG AND PROPELLER WERE EXAMINED AND BOTH COMPONENTS WERE FOUND TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY AND THE DAMAGE FOUND WAS CONSISTENT WITH A PROPELLER STRIKE AND RESULTANT SUDDEN STOPPAGE. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS OR RIGHT POWERPLANT TO SUGGEST A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE GLIDE SLOPE BUILDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N930MA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 190
- Airframe hours: 33397
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Eastern Metro Express
- Registered owner: Metro Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 17, 1986, 73 hours before
- Destination: MAZ, MAYAGUEZ, PR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJU, Luis Munuzmarin Int'L, runway 8, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,086 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,856 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU

## 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 19861129062509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861129062509A), Nov 29, 1986: Dhav DHC6/, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. The pilot reported the plane yawed prior to V1 and struck a shed beside the runway. No mechanical malfunctions.

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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