FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Pilot Collides with Trees After Encountering Adverse Weather (N1315A)

Adjuntas, Puerto RicoFlight

On December 23, 1999, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration N1315A) operated by M & N Aviation (1999) was involved in an aviation accident near Adjuntas, Puerto Rico in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot continued flight into adverse weather conditions that included low ceiling and turbulence. Factors to the accident were trees. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot who failed to obtain a weather briefing took off without a flight plan and later collided with trees while maneuvering in deteriorating weather, including heavy turbulence and low ceilings.

Event Sequence

While en route to the first scheduled stop, the pilot heard a radio transmission indicating that weather conditions near the next destination were "bad." Upon arrival, the pilot attempted to contact Flight Service by telephone to obtain a weather briefing and to file a flight plan. After these attempts failed, the pilot decided to take off without filing a flight plan. A few minutes into the flight, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including heavy turbulence and low ceilings. The pilot then decided to return to the departure airport. While maneuvering during the return, the airplane collided with trees.

Aircraft Examination

Post-accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunction or component failure. The pilot had not reported any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

Terrain

According to en route flight charts, the terrain elevation at the departure point was approximately 24 feet. The terrain elevation at the approximate location of the accident site was 2,500 feet.

Probable cause

The pilot continued flight into adverse weather conditions that included low ceiling and turbulence. Factors to the accident were trees.
Weather

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Dec 1999 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident near Adjuntas, Puerto Rico?

A pilot who failed to obtain a weather briefing took off without a flight plan and later collided with trees while maneuvering in deteriorating weather, including heavy turbulence and low ceilings.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Dec 1999 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Dec 1999 involved a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registration N1315A, operated by M & N Aviation (1999), at Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot continued flight into adverse weather conditions that included low ceiling and turbulence. Factors to the accident were trees.

More accident analyses