Cessna A185F accident near Yabucoa, PR
On July 1, 2011, a Cessna A185F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Yabucoa, PR. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 1, 2011
- Place
- Yabucoa, PR
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 18.051°N, 65.798°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110704X21533
Official records · ERA11FA376
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 1, 2011, at approximately 1433 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna A185F, N8436Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted the waters of the Caribbean Sea near Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. The certificated commercial pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, which departed from Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport (TJCP), Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, destined for Mercedita Airport (TJPS), Ponce, Puerto Rico. On July 1, 2011, the pilot of the airplane and his four passengers departed TJPS and flew to TJCP to tour the island and spend some time on its beaches. At approximately 1416 the airplane departed TJCP on its return flight, but never arrived at TJPS. Two days later on July 3, 2011 a family member reported to the Ponce Municipal Police that the airplane was overdue. A search by local, state, and federal authorities was then initiated. As part of that search, a review of radar data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was conducted. Review of the radar data revealed that after departure from TJCP the airplane initially climbed to 2,000 feet above mean sea level (msl). Approximately 5 minutes later, it descended to 1,800 feet msl. Shortly thereafter, the airplane descended to 1,600 feet and maintained that altitude for approximately 8 minutes before entering a right 270 degree turn and descending below the floor of the radar coverage area. Interpolation of radar data indicated that the a
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with a thunderstorm and subsequent loss of control.
More accidents in PR
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Browse: Puerto Rico · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
