Cessna 172M accident near San Juan, PR
On July 25, 2012, a Cessna 172M (airplane) was involved in an accident near San Juan, PR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 25, 2012
- Place
- San Juan, PR
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 18.455°N, 66.105°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120726X21557
Official records · ERA12FA484
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- ATC Transcripts - Partial: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 25, 2012, about 1420 Atlantic time zone (AST), a Cessna 172M, N73115, was substantially damaged when it impacted the water near Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (TJIG), San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The private pilot was fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Antonio/Nery/Juarbe Pol Airport (TJAB), Arecibo, Puerto Rico. According to numerous eyewitness reports, the airplane appeared to be maintaining level flight and subsequently banked to the right, as viewed from behind, descended, and then impacted the water in a right-wing-down attitude. One eyewitness, located in an aircraft that was following the accident airplane on final approach, reported that the airplane "made some zigzagging" prior to it banking to the right. The airplane was observed impacting the water's surface with the right wing tip. The airplane then cartwheeled and disappeared below the water's surface. According to video taken of a security video monitor, from a camera mounted on a terminal building on the southwest side of the bay, the airplane banked to the right and remained in a continuous bank. The airplane turned about 180 degrees of heading change, facing the direction of travel prior to impacting the water. The airplane was observed impacting the water in a right-wing-low attitude and, within about 2 seconds, disappeared below the water's surface. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A
Probable cause
Maintenance personnel’s improper lubrication of the right direct aileron control cable and failure to detect the severe corrosion of the cable during a maintenance inspection, which resulted in the in-flight failure of the cable, the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain aircraft control, and the airplane’s impact with terrain.
More accidents in PR
- Cessna 206H, Feb 8, 2009
- Cessna A185F, Jul 1, 2011
- Cessna 441, Jan 5, 2002
- Rockwell International 690B, Dec 3, 2008
- Piper PA23, Jun 2, 2020
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.
