# NTSB MIA90LA153: Lockheed L-188A, N4465F, Caribbean Sea, July 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 16:27 local (20:27 UTC)
- Place: Caribbean Sea
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA153

## Probable cause

THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF THE NOS 3 AND 4 PROPELLERS AND GEARBOXES FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE FAILED COMPONENTS WERE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - 2 engines - failure,total
  - propeller system/accessories - separation (cause)
  - reduction gear assy - separation (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CLIMB AT 18,000 FT THE CRW HEARD AND EXPLOSION AND LOST NOS 3 AND 4 ENGINES. THEY VISUALLY NOTED THAT THE PROPELLERS AND PORTIONS OF THE GEARBOXES WERE ALSO MISSING. THEY THEN SHUT DOWN NO 2 ENGINE DUE TO ERRATIC INDICATIONS. THEY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED. THE GEAR BOXES AND PROPELLERS WERE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4465F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-188A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1096
- Airframe hours: 31829
- Engines: ALLISON 501D-13 4000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Tpi International Airlines
- Registered owner: Tpi International Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 11, 1989, 884 hours before
- Departed: TNCC, ORANJESTAD, OF
- Destination: MPTO, PANAMA CITY, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,060 total, 3,150 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TNCA, 22 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 19900714025559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900714025559A), Jul 14, 1990: Lkheed 188C, Caribbean Sea, AC, Substantial damage. On climb through FL180. Loud explosions NR3 and 4 engines props gear boxes gone. NR2 erratic. Landed at aruba.

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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