Event MIA05LA013

Factual narrative

On October 25, 2004, about 1615 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-23-250, N62711, registered to Florida Flying Leasing & Services Inc. and operated by Premier Airways Inc, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted into the runway on approach to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot and the five passengers received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, earlier that day, about 1545. The pilot stated that, on the downwind leg, the air traffic controller (ATC) instructed him to extend the downwind for 2 miles from the airport for traffic. Shortly after, ATC instructed him to fly straight to the runway for a short approach from the Capital building and to expedite due to inbound traffic at that time. The pilot questioned ATC about the short final instructions because of the ships at the port in close proximity to the approach. The pilot stated, "On short final the aircraft had no control" and he applied full power to the engines; however, the airplane impacted on the runway, left wing first. The controller at the Isla Grande Air Traffic Control stated that he told the pilot to remain two miles off the shoreline and report abeam the control tower for landing. The pilot then reported in at two miles NNE at an indicated altitude of 800 feet. The controller decided that he would be first to land, and gave him a short approach for landing. The pilot accepted the landing instructions and continued on the approach. The controller than issued a traffic advisory which the pilot acknowledged and was cleared to land. Shortly afterwards, the airplane crashed at the threshold of runway 9. Two witnesses stated they observed the accident airplane attempting a short final approach to runway 9, the airplane was in a 45 degree left turn and about at 150 feet, and was losing altitude. One of the witnesses stated they heard a rapid acceleration of the engines just before impact. Both witnesses observed the left wing impact the runway and the airplane sliding backwards before coming to a complete stop. A witness positioned about 1,000 feet from the approach end of runway 9, stated he observed the accident airplane over the inside pattern turning on a left turn for a short final approach for runway 9. The airplane continued the descent without any indication of recovery. He heard the engine speeding up before the left wing tip hit the surface and bounced back to the right hitting the nose and the right main gear, at this point both main landing gear separated. The airplane slid backwards for about 300 feet on the runway before coming to a stop. The six people onboard exited the airplane without assistance and appeared to have no injuries. The FAA Inspector that conducted the post-accident examination to the accident airplane's flight controls stated that continuity of the flight controls was established and the accident airplane's flight control systems were determined to be in operational condition. Runway 9 at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, is a published 100-foot wide by 5,317 foot long runway. The pilot stated that, on the downwind leg, the air traffic controller (ATC) instructed him to extend the downwind for 2 miles from the airport for traffic. Shortly after, ATC instructed him to fly straight to the runway for a short approach from the Capital building and to expedite due to inbound traffic at that time. The pilot questioned ATC about the short final instructions because of the ships at the port in close proximity to the approach. The pilot stated, "On short final the aircraft had no control" and he applied full power to the engines; however, the airplane impacted on the runway, left wing first. A witness positioned about 1,000 feet from the approach end of runway 9, stated he observed the accident airplane over the inside pattern turning on a left turn for a short final approach for runway 9. The airplane continued to descend without any indication of recovery. He heard the engine speeding up before the left wing tip hit the surface and bounced back to the right hitting the nose and the right main gear, at this point both main landing gear separated. The airplane slid backwards for about 300 feet on the runway before coming to a stop. The six people onboard exited the airplane without assistance and appeared to have no injuries. An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector that conducted the post-accident examination to the accident airplane's flight controls stated that continuity of the flight controls was established and the accident airplane's flight control systems were determined to be in operational condition. Runway 9 at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, is a published 100-foot wide by 5,317 foot long runway. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12