Accident description
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| Status: | |
| Date: | 28 DEC 1970 |
| Time: | 14:42 AST |
| Type: | Boeing 727-2A7 |
| Operator: | Trans Caribbean Airways |
| Registration: | N8790R |
| C/n / msn: | 20240/717 |
| First flight: | 1969-04-24 (1 year 8 months) |
| Engines: | 3 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 48 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 55 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Saint Thomas-Harry S.Truman Airport (STT) (U.S. Virgin Islands)
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| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport (SJU/TJSJ), Puerto Rico |
| Saint Thomas-Harry S.Truman Airport (STT/TIST), U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| Flightnumber: | 505 |
The aircraft bounced twice on landing and touched down a third time at 2700 feet past the runway 09 (4650 feet long) threshold. The right wing struck the ground, and the aircraft ran off the side of the runway, passed through a fence, crossed a highway and came to a halt against a hillside.
The weather was: clear, visibility >30 miles; wind 100/10kts.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain's use of improper techniques in recovering from a high bounce generated by a poorly executed approach and touchdown. Lack of cockpit crew coordination during the approach and attempted recovery contributed to the accident." Sources:
Official accident investigation report
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Statistics
14th loss of a Boeing 727
12th worst accident involving a Boeing 727 (at the time)
54th worst accident involving a Boeing 727 (currently)
The worst accident in U.S. Virgin Islands (at the time)
4th worst accident in U.S. Virgin Islands (currently) » figures explained
12th worst accident involving a Boeing 727 (at the time)
54th worst accident involving a Boeing 727 (currently)
The worst accident in U.S. Virgin Islands (at the time)
4th worst accident in U.S. Virgin Islands (currently) » figures explained
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport (SJU/TJSJ) to Saint Thomas-Harry S.Truman Airport (STT/TIST) as the crow flies is 108 km (68 miles).
Distance from San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport (SJU/TJSJ) to Saint Thomas-Harry S.Truman Airport (STT/TIST) as the crow flies is 108 km (68 miles).
