Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 25 October 1973
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-6A
Owner/operator: Span East Airlines
Registration Number: N614SE
Location: Biscayne Bay, FL –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: no. 3 fuel tankno. 3 fuel tank
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A DC-6 aircraft experienced a fuel loss during a cargo flight to Miami, becoming incapacitated in Biscayne Bay due to a rapid fuel loss and complete engine failure. The pilot made improper in-flight decisions and planning regarding fuel supply.A DC-6 aircraft experienced a fuel loss during a cargo flight to Miami, becoming incapacitated in Biscayne Bay due to a rapid fuel loss and complete engine failure. The pilot made improper in-flight decisions and planning regarding fuel supply.
Description
The DC-6 left Georgetown for a cargo flight to Miami. One hour short of Miami the no. 3 fuel tank seemed to loose fuel. Fuel was lost at a fast rate and the aircraft was not able to reach Miami. When both no. 1 and no. 4 engines had lost power, the pilot decided to ditch into Biscayne Bay. PROBABLE CAUSE: powerplant – fuel system: other miscellaneous acts,conditions – leak/leakage pilot in command – mismanagement of fuel miscellaneous acts,conditions – inattentive to fuel supply pilot in command – improper in-flight decisions or planning miscellaneous acts,conditions – fuel exhaustion FACTORS: miscellaneous acts,conditions – aircraft came to rest in water complete power loss – complete engine failure/flameout-4 engines
Primary Cause
powerplant – fuel system: other miscellaneous acts,conditions – aircraft came to rest in waterpowerplant – fuel system: other miscellaneous acts,conditions – aircraft came to rest in waterShare on:
