# NTSB MIA90FA101: Lockheed L-1049F, Levittown, PR, April 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1990, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Levittown, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA101

## Probable cause

FIRE OF AN UNDETERMINED ORIGIN THAT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER IN TWO ENGINES DURING A THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION FOR THE THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT, AND HIS OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)
- Loss of engine power, descent
  - 2 engines
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF ON A THREE ENGINE FERRY FLIGHT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. DURING THE THREE ENGINE CLIMB OUT WITH THE NO.3 PROPELLER FEATHERED, THE NO.2 ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND HE COULD NOT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN AND DURING THE DESCENT THE NO.1 ENGINE FAILED. HE THEN INTENTIONALLY DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN, AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN AND NO DETERMINATION OF CAUSE COULD BE ASCERTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: HI515 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-1049F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4192
- Airframe hours: 16822
- Engines: CURTIS WRIGHT R-3350 2800 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerolineas Mundo S.A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 4, 1990, 22 hours before
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: SANTO DOMINGO, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, foreign, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 11 nm away

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.