Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 23 March 1952
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-749A-79-33 Constellation
Owner/operator: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Registration Number: PH-TFF
Location: Bangkok International Airport (BKK) – ÿ Thailand
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 44
Component Affected: Propeller-bladePropeller-blade
Category: Accident
A Lockheed Constellation (Venlo) aircraft was approaching Bangkok when experiencing vibrations, including a loud noise and significant vibration. Engine power application nearly ceased the vibrations. A left turn to base leg resulted in a noise and heavy vibration. A propeller blade separated, leading to a fire in the engine nacelle, which was not extinguished. The right main gear collapsed, and a major fire erupted. The aircraft landed safely on runway 21, but the right main landing gears collapsed as a result of the fire.A Lockheed Constellation (Venlo) aircraft was approaching Bangkok when experiencing vibrations, including a loud noise and significant vibration. Engine power application nearly ceased the vibrations. A left turn to base leg resulted in a noise and heavy vibration. A propeller blade separated, leading to a fire in the engine nacelle, which was not extinguished. The right main gear collapsed, and a major fire erupted. The aircraft landed safely on runway 21, but the right main landing gears collapsed as a result of the fire.

Description

The Lockheed Constellation (named “Venlo”) was approaching Bangkok when a vibration of the control wheel and dashboard were noticed. The vibrations nearly ceased when engine power was applied. During a left turn to base leg, a loud noise was heard and the aircraft vibrated heavily. One of the no. 3 engine propeller blades had separated and a fire broke out in the engine nacelle. The aircraft landed safely on runway 21. Before coming to rest however, the right main gear collapsed and a major fire erupted. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The failure of the propeller-blade during flight shortly before landing at Don Muang Airport. This caused the loss of No.3 engine and fire to break out in the engine nacelle which could not be extinguished. When landing, the right main landing gears collapsed as a consequence of the fire.”

Primary Cause

Failure of the propeller-blade during flight shortly before landing at Don Muang Airport.Failure of the propeller-blade during flight shortly before landing at Don Muang Airport.

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