Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 9 January 1964
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-5-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Austin Airways
Registration Number: CF-ILQ
Location: near Rupert River, QC – ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: EngineEngine
Category: Accident
An aircraft incident occurred during a non-scheduled flight from Mooseonee to Nemiscan Settlement. The pilot utilized rear fuel tanks, containing approximately 150 gallons of fuel, with 10-15 gallons in each tank. Power settings were 28 inches manifold pressure and 2050 rpm with automatic lean mixture. Approximately 50 minutes after takeoff, left engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. The booster pumps were switched on, and tank selections were changed without affecting the engine. Right engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. The aircraft was forced into trees 1000 ft from the Rupert River, resulting in a severe landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed the front fuel tanks were empty, with no fuel used from either tank. The probable cause is engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.An aircraft incident occurred during a non-scheduled flight from Mooseonee to Nemiscan Settlement. The pilot utilized rear fuel tanks, containing approximately 150 gallons of fuel, with 10-15 gallons in each tank. Power settings were 28 inches manifold pressure and 2050 rpm with automatic lean mixture. Approximately 50 minutes after takeoff, left engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. The booster pumps were switched on, and tank selections were changed without affecting the engine. Right engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. The aircraft was forced into trees 1000 ft from the Rupert River, resulting in a severe landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed the front fuel tanks were empty, with no fuel used from either tank. The probable cause is engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.

Description

The aircraft was on a non-scheduled flight from Moosonee to Nemiscan Settlement. The pilot stated that he used the rear fuel tanks for takeoff and cruise and that they contained about 150 gallons of fuel, with about 10-15 gallons in each of the front tanks. The power settings used for the flight were about 28 inches manifold pressure and 2050 rpm with automatic lean mixture. About 50 minutes after takeoff the left engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. The booster pumps were switched on and the tank selections were changed without effect. At this time the right engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. Attempts to re-start were unsuccessful and when the aircraft was 200 ft above the ground the pilot realized he could not reach the Rupert River. A forced landing was made into trees about 1000 ft from the river with the undercarriage down. Both pilots were severely injured. Examination of the wreckage showed that the front fuel tanks were empty and no fuel had apparently been used from either of the rear tanks. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.”

Source of Information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v17A4B7jtM, https://ronjcharity.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/austin-airways-dc3-cf-ilq-wreck-update/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v17A4B7jtM, https://ronjcharity.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/austin-airways-dc3-cf-ilq-wreck-update/

Primary Cause

Engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.Engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.

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