Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 14 February 1971
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Patterson McCarthy Leasing
Registration Number: N14273
Location: near Shawnee, OK –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 29
Component Affected: Engine (no. 1)Engine (no. 1)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An 8-minute sightseeing flight experienced a catastrophic failure of the no. 1 engine during a crosswind takeoff. The engine failed on a crosswind leg, setting the engine to METO power and RPM. Upon losing height, the engine vibrated, and power was reduced to 40 inches, followed by 2450 rpm. The aircraft continued its descent, leading to a forced landing. The right wing struck trees and a pond dam.An 8-minute sightseeing flight experienced a catastrophic failure of the no. 1 engine during a crosswind takeoff. The engine failed on a crosswind leg, setting the engine to METO power and RPM. Upon losing height, the engine vibrated, and power was reduced to 40 inches, followed by 2450 rpm. The aircraft continued its descent, leading to a forced landing. The right wing struck trees and a pond dam.
Description
Following a runway 35 takeoff for an 8-minute sightseeing flight, the no. 1 engine failed on crosswind leg. The prop was feathered and the remaining engine set to METO power 35 inches with 2350 rpm. When the aircraft lost height and started vibrating, power was set to 40in. and 2450 rpm. The aircraft continued to descent, so a forced landing had to be made. The right wing struck trees and a pond dam. PROBABLE CAUSE: powerplant – ignition system: spark plug miscellaneous acts,conditions – material failure pilot in command – inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning miscellaneous acts,conditions – improperly loaded aircraft-weight-and/or c.g. partial power loss – partial loss of power – 1 engine
Primary Cause
Powerplant – ignition system: spark plugPowerplant – ignition system: spark plugShare on:
