Incident Details
En route from Charlotte Amalie to San Juan, a twin-engine aircraft was flying along the east coast of Puerto Rico when the left engine failed. As the crew attempted to feather the propeller of the left engine, the right engine lost power. The captain reduced altitude and ditched the aircraft approximately 1,000 feet off the coast of the Río Grande district. All five occupants were rescued, and the aircraft subsequently sank.
Crew Actions
The crew responded to the left engine failure by initiating a propeller feathering procedure. Before that procedure was completed, the right engine also lost power, leaving the aircraft without thrust. The captain executed a controlled ditching maneuver, placing the aircraft in the water near Río Grande. The successful rescue of all five occupants followed.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was engine failure and malfunction during normal cruise due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported: inattentive to fuel supply, fuel starvation, failed to follow approved procedures, improper emergency procedures, inadequate preflight preparation, inadequate supervision of flight crew, inadequate inspection of aircraft, failed to use the checklist, aircraft came to rest in water, complete engine failure, forced landing off airport on water, both fuel selectors on the right main tank that was empty, and fuel available in the left main tank.