Narrative:The DHC-4 ran out of fuel after losing all navigational aids and was forced to ditch into the North Atlantic Ocean.
The aircraft had operated for the Zambian Air Force as AF-303. It was re-registered 9J-NAA and ferried to Malta. In 1984 the aircraft was overhauled and re-registered N5844R. It first flew after overhaul on 17 October 1984. The aircraft subsequently departed on a ferry flight to Canada.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
Preflight planning/preparation..Poor..Pilot in command
Fuel consumption calculations..Inaccurate..Pilot in command
Contributing Factors:
Weather condition..Rain
Weather condition..Unfavorable wind
Anxiety/apprenhension..Pilot in command
Classification:
Fuel exhaustion
Ditching
Sources:
»
Aurora rendezvous with the past / Patrick Spiteri
Photos
accident date:
23-10-1984type: de Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou
registration: 9J-NAA
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 Santa Maria-Vila do Porto Airport, Azores to St. John's Airport, NL as the crow flies is 2523 km (1577 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.