# NTSB MIA91FA140: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-3C, N134FS, Aguadilla, PR, May 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1991, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Aguadilla, PR
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VS) AFTER A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE NO. 8 ENGINE ASSEMBLY CYLINDER.  THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL (STALL), AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, other
  - fuel system - ruptured

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE ON TAKEOFF CLIMB DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE NO. 8 ENGINE ASSEMBLY CYLINDER. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES AT 400 FEET AGL IN A 20 DEGREE LEFT BANK WHILE MANEUVERING TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  THE ANGLE OF BANK INCREASED TO 60 DEGREES WITH A NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN AIRSPEED WHILE THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW 300 FEET AGL.  THE LEFT WING DROPPED 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN VERTICALLY.  THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO REGAIN ELEVATOR AUTHORITY AND LEVELED OUT BEFORE ENCOUNTERING A SECONDARY STALL.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED BY POSTCRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N134FS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N134FS-1991-10-03), registration cancelled 1991-10-03, S/N 99848 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-3C
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c) (registry code 3021457) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 99848
- Engines: P&W R1830-90D 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Four Star Aviation
- Registered owner: Four Star Aviation
- Departed: JBQ, AGUADILLA, PR
- Destination: PSE, PONCE, PR
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,068 total, 873 in this make and model, 102 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBQ, 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 19910510015239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910510015239A), May 10, 1991: Doug DC3C, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Blew a cylinder left engine on takeoff. Failed to feather and tried to return. Stalled, turning into affected engine

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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