Incident Overview
Date: Monday 30 March 1959
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando
Owner/operator: Riddle Airlines
Registration Number: N7840B
Location: Alma, GA –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Aircraft cargo compartment wallAircraft cargo compartment wall
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
An unguarded light bulb caused a fire in the aft lower cargo compartment of an aircraft while passing over Alma, GA. The fire rapidly penetrated the cargo compartment wall, spreading through combustible fluid carrying lines and igniting the fluids, leading to loss of control and a subsequent crash.An unguarded light bulb caused a fire in the aft lower cargo compartment of an aircraft while passing over Alma, GA. The fire rapidly penetrated the cargo compartment wall, spreading through combustible fluid carrying lines and igniting the fluids, leading to loss of control and a subsequent crash.
Description
An unguarded light bulb came into contact with combustible cargo in the aft lower cargo compartment causing a fire. The fire penetrated the cargo compartment wall, burned through combustible fluid carrying lines and ignited the fluids. The plane passed over Alma, GA at that moment and the crew reported that they were on fire and that they were experiencing control problems. Shortly afterwards the aircraft lost control and crashed.
Primary Cause
Unattended light bulbUnattended light bulbShare on:
