No fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes at San Juan Airport, Five Occupants Injured (N116DW)

San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde), Puerto RicoTakeoff (climb)

On July 20, 1981, a Britten-Norman Islander (registration N116DW) operated by Dorado Wings was involved in an aviation accident near San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde), Puerto Rico during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb following a premature liftoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane crashed after banking left at liftoff from runway 10 at San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín Airport. All five occupants were injured; the pilot seriously. The crash occurred 3 minutes 55 seconds after a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar departed from the same runway.

Accident Details

On an unspecified date, a twin-engine airplane was taking off from runway 10 at San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During the liftoff, the airplane banked left and subsequently crashed. All five occupants aboard were injured, with the pilot sustaining serious injuries.

Sequence of Events

The accident occurred during the initial climb phase of flight. According to the official investigation, the airplane experienced a premature liftoff, leading to an uncontrolled collision with the ground. The crash took place 3 minutes and 55 seconds after a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar departed from the same runway 10.

Investigation

Investigators determined the probable cause to be an uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb following a premature liftoff. No additional factors or contributing causes were specified in the official findings.