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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 25, 2013 · Douglas DC-6 · N100CE

Nuiqsut, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 25, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Nuiqsut, AK
Aircraft
Douglas DC-6 (1953)
Tail Number
N100CE
Operator
Tatonduk Outfitters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC14CA012

According to the operator, the purpose of the short, 22 minute flight was to deliver a load of oversized, oil drilling tools to a remote oil production site. The flightcrew reported that shortly after takeoff the first officer noticed that the airplane's elevator control movements appeared to be "momentarily stiff." While en route to the destination, the flight engineer was asked to inspect the cargo, and he subsequently discovered that two of the four, 31-foot long oil drilling tools had shifted aft, damaging the aft pressure bulkhead. The captain did not declare an emergency, and the airplane landed at the destination without incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead assembly, as well as various frames, stringers and structural longerons. In addition, several attachments for the elevator flight control pulleys and flight control cable guides were damaged. The operator noted that the airplane's pressurization system had been removed years ago, when the airplane was converted to a cargo configuration. The operator reported that after loading the airplane, just before departure, the crew inspected the five nylon strapping mechanisms that secured the four drilling tools to the floor of the airplane. The crew reported that all five of the nylon straps were tight before departure, but gathered that one or more had loosened slightly during taxi and takeoff, allowing two of the tools to shift aft during takeoff. The crew also noted that the drilling tools were covered with ice and snow, which likely aided in the tools sliding along the aluminum, diamond plate-covered floor of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

A load shift during takeoff, which resulted in substantial damage to the aft bulkhead and associated structures.

Full Narrative

According to the operator, the purpose of the short, 22 minute flight was to deliver a load of oversized, oil drilling tools to a remote oil production site. The flightcrew reported that shortly after takeoff the first officer noticed that the airplane's elevator control movements appeared to be "momentarily stiff." While en route to the destination, the flight engineer was asked to inspect the cargo, and he subsequently discovered that two of the four, 31-foot long oil drilling tools had shifted aft, damaging the aft pressure bulkhead. The captain did not declare an emergency, and the airplane landed at the destination without incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead assembly, as well as various frames, stringers and structural longerons. In addition, several attachments for the elevator flight control pulleys and flight control cable guides were damaged. The operator noted that the airplane's pressurization system had been removed years ago, when the airplane was converted to a cargo configuration. The operator reported that after loading the airplane, just before departure, the crew inspected the five nylon strapping mechanisms that secured the four drilling tools to the floor of the airplane. The crew reported that all five of the nylon straps were tight before departure, but gathered that one or more had loosened slightly during taxi and takeoff, allowing two of the tools to shift aft during takeoff. The crew also noted that the drilling tools were covered with ice and snow, which likely aided in the tools sliding along the aluminum, diamond plate-covered floor of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:21 AKST
Nearest AirportAlpine Airstrip (0nm S)
Runway03
Runway Length5005 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-6
Tail NumberN100CE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTatonduk Outfitters
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-2800 · Reciprocating · 2000
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · First Class · None
Crew 3None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind210° @ 10 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point-6 C / -8 C
Altimeter30.32 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data