Narrative:
The undercarriage had to be recycled prior to landing in order to obtain a down and locked indication. The right main gear was still retracted, however. Despite a warning from the tower controller, the crew continued to land. The DC-6 veered off the runway and ended up in a drainage ditch, 4300 feet from the runway threshold and 200 feet to the right of the centerline.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
pilot in command - failed to assure the gear was down and locked
pilot in command - failed to follow approved procedures,directives,etc.
miscellaneous acts,conditions - improper emergency procedures
FACTOR:
airframe - landing gear: normal retraction/extension assembly
Runway excursion
accident date: 24-02-1978
type: Douglas DC-6BF
registration: N6103C
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 24 February 1978 |
| Time: | 08:26 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-6BF |
| Operator: | West Indies Air Transport |
| Registration: | N6103C |
| MSN: | 44103/392 |
| First flight: | 1953 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport (SJU) ( Puerto Rico)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America |
| San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport (SJU/TJSJ), Puerto Rico |
The undercarriage had to be recycled prior to landing in order to obtain a down and locked indication. The right main gear was still retracted, however. Despite a warning from the tower controller, the crew continued to land. The DC-6 veered off the runway and ended up in a drainage ditch, 4300 feet from the runway threshold and 200 feet to the right of the centerline.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
pilot in command - failed to assure the gear was down and locked
pilot in command - failed to follow approved procedures,directives,etc.
miscellaneous acts,conditions - improper emergency procedures
FACTOR:
airframe - landing gear: normal retraction/extension assembly
Classification:
Gear-up landingRunway excursion
Sources:
» Aviation News 17.03.1978Photos
accident date: 24-02-1978
type: Douglas DC-6BF
registration: N6103C
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 Miami International Airport, FL to San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport as the crow flies is 1672 km (1045 miles).
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to San Juan-Isla Verde International Airport as the crow flies is 1672 km (1045 miles).
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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