Douglas DC-3 crash, Jan 2, 1978, Río Grande
Douglas DC-3 accident on January 2, 1978 near Río Grande, Puerto Rico with no fatalities. Cause: Engine failure in cruise caused by fuel mismanagement:...
- Date: January 2, 1978
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-3
- Location: Río Grande, Puerto Rico
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Engine failure in cruise caused by fuel mismanagement: both fuel selectors were set to the empty right main tank while fuel remained in the left main tank
On 2 January 1978 a Douglas DC-3 (N15598) of Aero Virgin Islands flying a scheduled service from Charlotte Amalie to San Juan lost its left engine off the east coast of Puerto Rico. The right engine then lost power while the crew was feathering the left propeller. The captain ditched about 1,000 feet off Río Grande and all occupants were rescued before the aircraft sank.