Flight Details
The airplane was on a cargo flight from St Petersburg to Aguadilla, carrying two pilots and a load of 9,000 lbs of dynamite.
Accident Sequence
While approaching Aguadilla, both engines lost power and stopped almost simultaneously. The crew elected to ditch the aircraft, which crashed into the sea about 800 meters offshore. The airplane sank in approximately 50 feet of water, and its wreckage was not recovered.
Injuries and Recovery
Both pilots sustained minor injuries and were evacuated from the scene.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be double engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors reported included inadequate preflight preparation, improper in-flight decisions or planning, mismanagement of fuel, and fuel exhaustion.