Narrative:
Grumman G-73 Mallard, named "Catalina Clipper", hit three waves hard during takeoff. The left wing broke off and the left engine tore away.
The plane sank as the occupants exited through the overhead hatch. A fishing boat was the first at the scene, Coast Guard moments later.
PROBABLE CAUSES:
pilot in command - selected unsuitable terrain
pilot in command - failed to abort takeoff
FACTORS:
pilot in command - premature lift-off
miscellaneous acts,conditions - overload failure
miscellaneous acts,conditions - aircraft came to rest in water
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | Sunday 14 January 1979 |
| Time: | 16:40 |
| Type: |  Grumman G-73 Mallard |
| Operator: | Trans Catalina Airlines |
| Registration: | N95DF |
| MSN: | J-19 |
| First flight: | 1947 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 11 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Catalina Island-Avalon Bay Airport, CA (CIB) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Catalina Island-Avalon Bay Airport, CA (AVX/KAVX), United States of America |
| Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA (LGB/KLGB), United States of America |
Grumman G-73 Mallard, named "Catalina Clipper", hit three waves hard during takeoff. The left wing broke off and the left engine tore away.
The plane sank as the occupants exited through the overhead hatch. A fishing boat was the first at the scene, Coast Guard moments later.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSES:
pilot in command - selected unsuitable terrain
pilot in command - failed to abort takeoff
FACTORS:
pilot in command - premature lift-off
miscellaneous acts,conditions - overload failure
miscellaneous acts,conditions - aircraft came to rest in water
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Catalina Island-Avalon Bay Airport, CA to Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA as the crow flies is 52 km (32 miles).
Distance from Catalina Island-Avalon Bay Airport, CA to Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA as the crow flies is 52 km (32 miles).
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
