On April 25, 1973, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration HI-201) operated by Aeromar was involved in an aviation accident near Santo Domingo-Las Américas, Dominican Republic during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of power in the left engine during the initial climb phase necessitated an emergency ditching. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A cargo flight departing from Saint-Domingue-Las Américas Airport was forced to ditch in the Bay of Boca Chica following a left engine failure during its initial climb.
What happened
During the early stages of departure from Saint-Domingue-Las Américas Airport, an aircraft transporting 6.4 tons of fruit encountered a critical mechanical issue. While performing the initial climb phase, the left engine failed, compromising the flight's ability to maintain altitude or continue toward its destination in Christiansted, US Virgin Islands.
In response to the loss of power, the crew executed an emergency procedure to ditch the aircraft in the Bay of Boca Chica, situated approximately 5 km east of the airport. The vessel settled in the water a few hundred meters from the shoreline. All four crew members on board were successfully recovered without injury.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the emergency was the failure of the left engine shortly after the aircraft departed the runway.
Probable cause
The loss of power in the left engine during the initial climb phase necessitated an emergency ditching.