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NTSB Report
July 29, 1987 · Douglas DC-3A · N39DT
Laredo, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Laredo, TX
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3A
Tail Number
N39DT
Operator
Ferreteria E Implementos
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87LA180
THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED DURING INITIAL CLIMB IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF. AIRSPEED COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH ONE ENGINE OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING SLOWLY JUST ABOVE THE SURFACE AND WAS LOADED TO 3,809 POUNDS ABOVE ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED BUT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT STALL/MUSHED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT ENG WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACC AND NO MALFUNCTIONS FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED DURING INITIAL CLIMB IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF. AIRSPEED COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH ONE ENGINE OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING SLOWLY JUST ABOVE THE SURFACE AND WAS LOADED TO 3,809 POUNDS ABOVE ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED BUT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT STALL/MUSHED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT ENG WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACC AND NO MALFUNCTIONS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:02 CDT
Nearest AirportLaredo Int'L (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length5926 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDouglas DC-3A
Tail NumberN39DT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFerreteria E Implementos
Operating RulePart 125
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1830 · Reciprocating · 900
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO