Incident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft operating a charter flight from San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde) Airport, Puerto Rico, to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic experienced a runway excursion after landing. The aircraft carried two pilots, one flight attendant, and ten crew members from Air Europa who were positioning to Punta Cana.
Flight and Landing
The flight was uneventful until landing. The crew completed an approach and landing on runway 08. After a roll of approximately 1,500 feet, the aircraft deviated to the left, executed a 45-degree turn, veered off the runway, and came to rest in a wooded area. The aircraft then burst into flames.
Evacuation and Injuries
All 13 occupants evacuated the aircraft safely. Among them, two passengers sustained slight injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the fire.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the accident resulted from a combination of human and technical factors. During the approach, the crew observed a fluctuation in oil pressure on the instrument panel of the right (number 2) engine. After landing, the crew activated the thrust reversers on both engines without waiting for the Beta light, an essential indication for proper system operation. This caused the thrust reverser system to activate only on the left engine, leading to a sharp left turn at a 45-degree angle. The oil pressure fluctuation observed on final approach and the malfunction of the right engine were attributed to an oil leak that occurred in flight.