[1] The aircraft involved in the accident was a 25 year old ATL-98 Carvair, registered HI-168, and had originally been built as a Douglas C-54D Skymaster equipped with four Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engines.

The conversion from a Douglas C-54D Skymaster to the ATL-98 Carvair occurred in 1964, and entered service with Aviaco later that year, registered EC-AXI.

[2] While on their takeoff roll from runway 09L at 15:42 EDT (22:42 UTC), the number 2 engine began emitting a heavy white smoke and the crew, after being advised about the smoke by the air traffic controller, did not reject the takeoff, and after lifting off, engine 2 failed.

[2] The controller had noticed the smoke and eventual fire from the number 2 engine and had informed the crew that they could make an approach to any runway that they needed.

The report highlighted multiple errors within Dominicana's maintenance and pilot training and sited the probable cause as follows: Probable Cause: The Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the confused action on part of the crew while attempting to cope with the catastrophic failures of their engines during flight.The investigation also revealed how Dominicana had been cutting costs and had failed to maintain their aircraft, and also failing to abide by a FAA issued notice that stated that Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engines had a tendency with the pistons to overwork, and disintegrate inside the engine, causing a fire.