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March 16, 2001 · Douglas DC-3 · N842MB

Donalsonville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 16, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Donalsonville, GA
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3
Tail Number
N842MB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL01FA040

The DC-3 experienced an in-flight engine fire, and made a forced landing at nearby airport, following the separation of the right engine assembly from the airframe. According to the pilot, during cruise flight, at 5000 feet, he heard a loud "bang" and saw a reflection of fire on his left engine nacelle. Fire damage was found on the trailing edge of the right wing and on the landing gear assembly. The engine examination also showed that No. 12 cylinder had separated from the main case. Evidence of oil from the No. 12 cylinder was found across engine and exhaust systems. Further examination revealed Nos. 7, 8 and 9 cylinders also failed and separated, and the engine seized and separated from the airframe.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure and separation of No.12 cylinder from the engine case that resulted in an in-flight oil fed fire; and the subsequent separation of the right engine from airframe.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 15, 2001, at 2130 eastern standard time, a DC-3, N842MB, experienced an in-flight engine fire, and made a forced landing at Donalsonville Municipal Airport, Georgia, following the separation of the right engine assembly from the airframe. The cargo flight was operated by Jim Hankins Air Service, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135, with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage, and the pilot and co-pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Panama City, Florida, at 1950. According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 5000 feet, he heard a loud "Bang". The pilot then stated that he saw a reflection of fire on his left engine nacelle. The co-pilot stated that they had an engine fire on the right engine. The pilot commenced engine shut down procedures. When the pilot attempted to feather the propeller, the propeller did not feather. When the pilot pulled the extinguishing agent for the right engine, the engine separated from the aircraft. The airplane then lost hydraulic pressure. The pilot established visual contact with Donalsonville Municipal Airport, and made an emergency landing on runway 18 without further incident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held an airline transport certificate with airplane single and multi-engine land, instrument ratings. His total flight time was 6000 hours, with 700 hours in the DC-3. The pilot held a current first class medical certificate, dated July 25, 2000, with no waivers or limitations. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The DC-3, N842MB, was owned and operated by Jim Hawkins Air Service Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi. N842MB was a low-wing airplane powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1530-90D, 1200 horsepower engines. A review of the airplanes maintenance logbooks showed the last maintenance inspection was completed on March 1, 2001. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The Albany weather observation reported 10 statute miles visibility, wind 230 at 12 knots, temperature 24, dew point 7, and the sky was clear. AIRPORT INFORMATION Donalsonville Municipal Airport has one paved runway: 18/36. At the time of the accident, runway 18 was used for the forced landing. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane revealed the right engine and nacelle separated forward from the leading edge of the right wing. Evidence of fire damage was found on the trailing edge of the wing and landing gear. The right engine was found 10 miles southwest of Donalsonville Municipal Airport, in the backyard of a farmer's home. The engine examination also showed that No. 12 cylinder had failed and separated from the main case, and the No. 12 connecting rod was bent and fractured at the piston pin. Evidence of oil from the No. 12 cylinder was found across engine and exhaust systems, and evidence of fire was observed along the trail of engine oil. Further examination revealed Nos.7, 8 and 9 cylinders had also separated from the engine case. The engine had seized, and efforts to rotate the engine during the post accident examination failed. The review of the engine maintenance logs showed that the right engine was approximately 506 hours out of the last overhaul. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The airplane wreckage was released on May 08, 2001 to Bill Blankenship, insurance adjuster, Ormond Beach, Florida.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 EST
Nearest AirportDonalsonville Muni (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-3
Tail NumberN842MB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1530-90D · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 22 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind230° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data