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Wheels-Up Landing at San Juan-Isla Verde Airport (N6103C)

San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde), Puerto RicoLanding (descent or approach)

On February 24, 1978, a Douglas DC-6 (registration N6103C) operated by West Indies Air Transport was involved in an aviation accident near San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde), Puerto Rico during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wheels-up landing after the crew failed to assure the gear was down and locked. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft made a belly landing at San Juan-Isla Verde Airport after the right main gear remained retracted. All three occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview During an approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the flight crew initiated the landing gear retraction cycle. However, the right main gear remained in the retracted position. The tower controller contacted the crew regarding the situation, but the captain elected to continue the approach rather than aborting the landing. The aircraft touched down in a wheels-up configuration, sliding on its belly for approximately 4,300 feet. The aircraft subsequently veered off the runway to the right and came to rest in a drainage ditch. All three occupants on board escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage that was assessed as beyond repair.

Probable cause

Wheels-up landing after the crew failed to assure the gear was down and locked.

Related events

Same operator

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