No fatalities

2008-02-07: Britten-Norman Islander (HI-653CA) — Caribair (Dominican Republic) — El Prado, Dominican Republic

El Prado, Dominican RepublicFlight

On February 7, 2008, a Britten-Norman Islander (registration HI-653CA) operated by Caribair (Dominican Republic) was involved in an aviation accident near El Prado, Dominican Republic in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident occurred due to the fact that engine # 1 was turned off due to lack of fuel and when making the emergency landing the captain could not keep the aircraft in the correct path of the selected lane for said landing. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781197610Data APIEditorial standards

During a touristic flight, a twin-engine aircraft made an emergency landing in a sugarcane field after the left engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. All nine occupants escaped uninjured.

Flight and Fuel Stop

The twin-engine aircraft was conducting a touristic flight from Punta Cana to Santiago de los Caballeros and back. On the return leg to Punta Cana, the pilot chose to stop at La Romana for fuel. This decision was made because the left fuel tank gauge was inoperative, and the pilot had not refueled at Santiago de los Caballeros.

Engine Failure and Emergency Landing

En route, the left engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart it but was unsuccessful. He then decided to perform an emergency landing in a sugarcane field located in El Prado. Upon touchdown, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and slid for several dozen meters before coming to a stop.

Occupants and Damage

All nine occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Probable Cause

The official findings state that the accident occurred due to the fact that engine number one was turned off due to lack of fuel, and when making the emergency landing, the captain could not keep the aircraft in the correct path of the selected lane for said landing.