Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 25 March 1958
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-7C
Owner/operator: Braniff International Airways
Registration Number: N5904
Location: 5 km WNW of Miami International Airport, FL (MIA) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 24
Component Affected: No.3 engine cylinderNo.3 engine cylinder
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A DC-7 aircraft, shortly after takeoff from Miami, experienced a catastrophic engine fire. A no.3 engine fire forced a return to the airport, resulting in altitude loss while in a right turn. The plane crashed in an open marsh, resulting in disintegration and fire. A critical engine cylinder (no.11) suffered a failure, approximately 11 inches above the mounting flange. The incident was likely caused by the captain?s preoccupation with the engine fire, leading to an inappropriate and potentially dangerous maneuver.A DC-7 aircraft, shortly after takeoff from Miami, experienced a catastrophic engine fire. A no.3 engine fire forced a return to the airport, resulting in altitude loss while in a right turn. The plane crashed in an open marsh, resulting in disintegration and fire. A critical engine cylinder (no.11) suffered a failure, approximately 11 inches above the mounting flange. The incident was likely caused by the captain?s preoccupation with the engine fire, leading to an inappropriate and potentially dangerous maneuver.
Description
Shortly after takeoff from Miami a no. 3 engine fire forced the crew to return to the airport. Altitude was lost while in a right turn until the DC-7 crashed in an open marsh. The plane caught fire and disintegrated while skidding for a considerable distance. The no.3 engine’s no.11 cylinder had failed 3 inches above the mounting flange. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The failure of the captain to maintain altitude during an emergency return to the airport due to his undue preoccupation with an engine fire following takeoff.”
Primary Cause
Engine failure of the no.3 engine cylinder.Engine failure of the no.3 engine cylinder.Share on:
