Narrative:
The Cessna pilot entered the Vieques (VQS) traffic pattern on the downwind leg at 1,000 feet, and turned from base to final. At the same time a Vieques Air Link Britten Norman BN-2A Islander (N663VL) turned left from base leg to final approach. At 500 feet, both airplanes touched wing tips; the Cessna's damage was to the right wing and the Britten-Norman's damage was to the left wing. The Britten-Norman's pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident on runway 09. The Cessna's pilot initiated a go-around, for another approach, and landed without further incident on runway 09.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of both pilots to see and avoid, also causal was the failure of the pilot of the Britten-Norman Islander (N663VL) to yield right of way to an aircraft in the traffic pattern."
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 20 June 2002 |
| Time: | 16:20 EST |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Grand Caravan |
| Operator: | Isla Nena Air Services |
| Registration: | N786DM |
| MSN: | 208B0922 |
| First flight: | 2001 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 550 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Vieques Airport (VQS) ( Puerto Rico)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Culebra Airport (CPX/TJCP), Puerto Rico |
| Vieques Airport (VQS/TJCG), Puerto Rico |
The Cessna pilot entered the Vieques (VQS) traffic pattern on the downwind leg at 1,000 feet, and turned from base to final. At the same time a Vieques Air Link Britten Norman BN-2A Islander (N663VL) turned left from base leg to final approach. At 500 feet, both airplanes touched wing tips; the Cessna's damage was to the right wing and the Britten-Norman's damage was to the left wing. The Britten-Norman's pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident on runway 09. The Cessna's pilot initiated a go-around, for another approach, and landed without further incident on runway 09.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of both pilots to see and avoid, also causal was the failure of the pilot of the Britten-Norman Islander (N663VL) to yield right of way to an aircraft in the traffic pattern."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Mid air collisionForced landing on runway
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Culebra Airport to Vieques Airport as the crow flies is 28 km (18 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Culebra Airport to Vieques Airport as the crow flies is 28 km (18 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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