De Havilland DHC-6-200 N838MA

Summary

On 5 April 1999 at about 13:45 local time, a De Havilland DHC-6-200 registered N838MA, operated by Carib-Air Cargo Inc.,, was involved in an accident near Lantana, Florida, United States. 10 people were on board and 6 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 April 1999 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Lantana, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Palm Beach Airpark (LNA)

Coordinates

26.5801, -80.0696

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-6-200

Registration

N838MA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Carib-Air Cargo Inc.,

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Kissimmee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL99LA067

6 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to secure the engine oil filler cap during the preflight inspection that resulted the subsequent loss of engine power, and his in-flight decision to attempt a single engine go-around with full wing flaps extended.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included checking the engine oil quantity. The line personnel topped off the oil reservoirs, and reportedly secured the engine oil reservoir filler caps. Approximately two minutes into the flight, the right engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. The pilot informed Palm Beach Approach Control of the engine oil pressure problem, shut down the right engine, and returned to Lantana. As the flight approached runway 03, the pilot heard a radio transmission from another airplane taxiing for takeoff. As the pilot continued the approach, with full flaps extended, he elected to go-around 1500 feet from the approach end of the 3000-foot runway. The airplane collided with the ground during the go-around maneuver to runway 15. The wreckage examination also disclosed that the right cowling showed oil streaming back from behind the engine and onto the wing strut. Inspection of the oil filler cap revealed that it had not been properly installed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.