What happened
During the takeoff phase from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure of the right engine while ascending. Following this malfunction, the crew was unable to successfully feather the propeller, which led to a subsequent loss of aerodynamic control. As the plane lost both altitude and airspeed, it impacted the ocean in the vicinity of the airport.
Despite the impact, both occupants on board were successfully rescued from the wreckage. The aircraft itself was destroyed during the accident.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary reason for the incident was an engine failure during the climb to cruise altitude caused by insufficient maintenance. Several technical deficiencies were identified within the engine and electrical systems, including:
- Malfunctions in the ignition system, specifically involving the ignition harness and shielding
- A failure of the hydraulic pitch control mechanism
- Issues with the electrical components, including the batteries and generators/alternators
- A loose propeller distributor valve
- An inoperative generator on the right engine
- Weakened battery power
Furthermore, the investigation noted that the pilot-in-command proceeded with the flight despite being aware of equipment deficiencies. The crew also failed to adhere to approved operational procedures and did not execute proper emergency protocols during the crisis.