1977 Vieques Air Link crash
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Vieques , Puerto Rico |
| Products | Air transportation services |
On 19 December 1977, the 1977 Vieques Air Link crash took place when a Vieques Air Link Britten Norman BN-2A Islander plunged into the Atlantic Ocean close to Vieques, Puerto Rico while en route from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands to Vieques.
Flight
The plane was conducting a scheduled international service connecting St. Croix and Vieques.
Accident
Shortly before reaching Vieques, the aircraft suffered fuel depletion causing both engines to fail. The pilot initiated an emergency water landing at approximately 07:48 AM local time.
Passengers and crew
A total of ten individuals were aboard: nine passengers and a single crew member, the 50-year-old pilot. Five passengers lost their lives; the pilot along with four passengers survived the incident.
Investigation
The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error, specifically due to insufficient pre-flight preparation which resulted in improper fuel management and subsequent dual engine shutdown.
Vieques Air Link Flight 901A
Nearly seven years later, another Islander operated by Vieques Air Link crashed near the same area after encountering engine difficulties on a comparable but opposite flight path.