Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 24 September 1955
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-54A-15-DC (DC-4)
Owner/operator: Flying Tiger Line
Registration Number: N90433
Location: 1600 km W off Honolulu, HI, USA – ÿ Pacific Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Three enginesThree engines
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A DC-4 aircraft experienced an engine failure during a cross-Pacific flight from Wake Island to Honolulu. The aircraft’s pilots reduced fuel levels in three engines to minimize damage, leading to a ditching. The aircraft then initiated a controlled descent, applying full power to the remaining engine while attempting to restart the failed engines.A DC-4 aircraft experienced an engine failure during a cross-Pacific flight from Wake Island to Honolulu. The aircraft’s pilots reduced fuel levels in three engines to minimize damage, leading to a ditching. The aircraft then initiated a controlled descent, applying full power to the remaining engine while attempting to restart the failed engines.

Description

While on a cross-Pacific flight from Wake Island to Honolulu, the no. 1 engine stopped. The crew then placed the no. 2 and 3 fuel selectors to the near empty auxiliary tanks. The no. 2 and 3 engines then also stopped, forcing the crew to feather the no.1, 2 and 3 propellers. Full power was applied to the remaining no. 4 engine as the DC-4 descended. Separate attempts were made to restart the no. 1 and 2 engines, but of no avail. When trying to restart the no. 3 engine, the aircraft struck the water. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the loss of power in three engines due to incorrect fuel system management and faulty restarting methods which resulted in the ditching of the aircraft.”

Primary Cause

Incorrect fuel system management and faulty restarting methods resulted in loss of power in three engines.Incorrect fuel system management and faulty restarting methods resulted in loss of power in three engines.

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