Aircraft crash into construction crane during takeoff

Casualties unknown • San Juan, PR, US

A pilot lost power in the left engine during takeoff, causing the aircraft to strike a construction crane and crash into a bay.

What happened

During the takeoff phase of flight, the pilot reported that the left engine experienced a loss of power. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to drift toward the left side of the runway. Due to the loss of power, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient altitude to clear a construction crane positioned to the left of the runway.

The left wing of the aircraft struck the crane, leading to a descent that ended in an upright crash into the bay. The impact was severe enough that the left engine separated from the airframe during the accident; the engine was not recovered from the water. The pilot was not injured in the accident.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly drain all water from the fuel tanks prior to flight, which resulted in the loss of power in the left engine during takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-08-18 Piper PA-23 accident near San Juan, PR?

A pilot lost power in the left engine during takeoff, causing the aircraft to strike a construction crane and crash into a bay.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-08-18 involved a Piper PA-23, registration N556PR, at San Juan, PR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to properly drain all water from the fuel tanks prior to flight, which resulted in the loss of power in the left engine during takeoff.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02106. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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