Narrative:The aircraft was carrying oranges and bananas from Dominica to Saint Croix when the no. 1 engine misfired. The engine was throttled back and stopped a short while later. A drop in oil pressure then forced the pilot to reduce power on the remaining engine. The aircraft started to descent and was ditched offshore.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Engine failure with low oil pressure. Failure of the second engine consequent on a prolonged increase in power, necessitated by the failure of the first engine. The proximity of the coast and the presence of a DC-3 in flight ensured a favourable outcome, whilst the pilot had made a perfect ditching."
Classification:
All engine powerloss
Ditching
Photos
accident date:
24-08-1977type: Curtiss C-46D Commando
registration: N74689
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Dominica-Melville Hall Airport to Saint Croix-Alexander Hamilton Airport as the crow flies is 441 km (275 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.