Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board

[KingChango]

March 15, 2012 9:21 AM

Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board
(http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501715_162-57397948/cargo-plane-crashes-in-puerto-rico-with-3-on-board/)SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A spokesman for Puerto Rico's largest airport says a cargo plane has crashed on the island, apparently killing all three crew members who were on board.

Juan Rivera says the Convair 440 had just taken off Thursday when the pilot told air traffic control that the plane was having engine trouble. The plane was returning to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport near San Juan when it crashed into a lagoon.

Rivera says all three crew members were apparently killed.

The plane was operated by Jet One Express and was bound for the Caribbean island of St. Maarten.

[KingChango]

read that fox news reported 1100kg's onboard:rolleyes:

[Airbubba]

read that fox news reported 1100kg's onboard

1100 kilos of 'bread':

The plane would make about 15 trips a week to deliver bread to several Caribbean islands, said Arnaldo de Leo, airport manager. It was carrying 2,500 pounds (1,134 kilograms) of bread when it crashed, he said.

2 Die In Plane Crash In Puerto Rico | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/03/15/2-die-in-plane-crash-in-puerto-rico/)

[Machaca]

El Nuevo Dia (http://www.elnuevodia.com/pilotosabiaquenavequeseestrelloteniadesperfectosmecanicos-1213349.html) reports that employee who helped weigh the load said it totaled 12,059 pounds, and capt informed of engine problems prior to flight.

[The Dominican]

I had the honor and good fortune to know captain Bristol for over 2 decades now, just a great guy all around and great mentor to many young pilots, very sad news to all that knew him. God speed my friend

[Huck]

Crash: Jet One Express CVLP at San Juan on Mar 15th 2012, engine trouble

By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Mar 15th 2012 16:24Z, last updated Thursday, Mar 15th 2012 16:58Z
A Jet One Express Convair CV-340, registration N153JR performing a freight flight callsign 153JR from San Juan (Puerto Rico) to Saint Maarten (Dutch Antilles) with 2 crew, was climbing out of San Juan's runway 10 and had just been handed over to departure when the crew declared emergency and requested an immediate return asking departure whether they would see any smoke from the aircraft, the controller reported seeing no smoke. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 28, however did not reach the airport anymore and impacted lagoon La Torrecilla just east of the aerodrome at about 07:45L (11:45Z). Both pilots perished.

The aircraft wreckage with both occupants, the captain being the owner of the airline, was located at the bottom of the lake, depth about 30-50 feet (10-15 meters), divers are working to free the bodies from the wreckage.

Residents around the lagoon reported they got aware of the aircraft when it began to descend towards the waters, the aircraft was trailing smoke.

The aircraft was carrying 12,000 lbs (5.5 tons) of bread and other goods.

The airport reported the crew reported engine trouble.

Initially Authorities reported three people were on board of the aircraft.

Metars:
TJSJ 151256Z 09013KT 10SM FEW034 SCT075 26/17 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP191 T02610172
TJSJ 151210Z VRB04KT 10SM FEW030 SCT075 25/18 A3010 RMK AO2 "ACFT MSHP"
TJSJ 151156Z 12005KT 10SM FEW030 SCT075 24/18 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP188 70001 T02440183 10244 20222 52019
TJSJ 151056Z 00000KT 10SM FEW030 SCT060 22/18 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP183 T02220178
TJSJ 150956Z 00000KT 10SM FEW030 SCT070 23/18 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP174 T02280178
TJSJ 150856Z 00000KT 10SM SCT030 23/18 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP169 T02280178 55007

[KingChango]

It's a very sad situation you know, i myself fly around there all the time and i see these old aircrafts all the time, and i ask myself if they're really worth flying anymore. i mean by all means, they are amazing aircraft. but to load them up to the max (maybe even over the limit- i dont know) is asking too much of this old technology.
I wish their family's lots of strength and hope their effort and names will be remembered for good

[Basil]

Just had a Goog to see what a Convair CV-340 looked like and found the very airframe landing at what looks like St Maarten.

https://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCLQ6AQ-tNgchAIDV5SE68T0eX6cRR5Q6BDT6q6cmvANPs4eOVeMw2QzQ
Large photo (http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/1/3/6/5/83674_1237361563.jpg)

[GrandPrix]

If San Juan is today as it was in the early 90s than it comes as no surprise. There is zero regulatory oversight there.
Capt. Bristol was a great guy and pilot. He will be missed.

[The Ancient Geek]

What is the correct load for a 340 in freighter configuration ?, the passenger version carried 44 pax so 5.5 tons does not sound excessive.

Something sounds a bit odd here if it was incapable of a positive rate of climb on one engine.

[Machinbird]

Something sounds a bit odd here if it was incapable of a positive rate of climb on one engine. Maybe the spare engine was in as bad a shape as the one that failed? the captain being the owner of the airline, Being the owner and chief pilot can be a dangerous combination. Commercial pressures to fly, even when you know there might be problems with the aircraft. Not an enviable position..

The Convair 340 was from an era that predated the terms FDR and CVR. Were they ever mandated? Otherwise, it was probably grandfathered.

[MarkerInbound]

No, I flew that plane about 3 owners ago, there was a CVR and a limited FDR. I think it only recorded 9 fields.

[atlast]

Very sad to hear. Deepest sympathy for those we have lost and thoughts are with those they left behind.
Flew that plane as N453GA with Rhoades. It was an old General bird that came from Kitty Hawk. It flew so much nicer than the 240.

[fr8doggie]

If it was Capt. Uriel Bristol he was the most incredible aviator I ever met. I've known him for 38 years. He could fly anything like he had 10,000 hours in it from the time he first sat down in it. One of my personal mentors who set me on my career path. Also a master mechanic.

That guy could FLY!!

Tailwinds my friend, tailwinds...