Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 12 June 1948
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-20-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Eagle Air Freight
Registration Number: NC79042
Location: Eloy, AZ – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Left EngineLeft Engine
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A no. 1 engine fire resulted in a crash landing at Tucson following a series of actions by the crew. The captain was asleep at the time of the fire discovery, and failure to follow proper emergency procedures contributed to the accident. Maintenance at Eagle Air Fright was deemed substandard.A no. 1 engine fire resulted in a crash landing at Tucson following a series of actions by the crew. The captain was asleep at the time of the fire discovery, and failure to follow proper emergency procedures contributed to the accident. Maintenance at Eagle Air Fright was deemed substandard.

Description

A no. 1 engine fire forced the crew to cut the fuel flow, fire the CO2 bottles and feather the propeller. It was then decided to make an emergency landing at Tucson. When the no. 1 engine separated from the wing however, the crew headed for a private airport at Eloy. They didn’t make it to Eloy Airport and had to crash-land the plane in a stubble field. Investigation revealed that the captain was asleep at the time of the fire discovery and that he failed to follow correct emergency procedures. Also, maintenance at Eagle Air Fright was substandard. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was fire in flight which resulted in the loss of the left engine, and required a crash landing. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Contributing factors were the failure of the pilot to remain fully awake at all times, and failure to follow correct emergency procedures.”

Primary Cause

Fire in flight caused by the left engine’s separation, necessitating a crash landing.Fire in flight caused by the left engine’s separation, necessitating a crash landing.

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