MITSUBISHI MU-2B-35, CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO, APRIL 15, 2002–Experiencing a loss of control while orbiting, Mitsubishi N45BS crashed into an automobile service facility near Carolina, Puerto Rico, at 3:03 p.m. IMC prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Part 91 positioning flight from Rohlsen Airport (TISX), St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to Marin Airport (TJSJ), San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airplane, operated by Crucian Airlines, was destroyed by the crash and post-crash fire, and the ATP pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. One person at the automobile facility was killed and two others were injured.
At 1:45 p.m. the pilot had phoned San Juan FSS but did not obtain a preflight weather briefing. After departing from TISX, the flight was radar identified. At 2:59:16 the controller advised the pilot, “Hold [VFR] over plaza please make left [360s].” The pilot responded, and at 3:02:31 the controller advised him to hold south of the plaza. There was no response.
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