Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 24 September 1978
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47B-15-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: War Birds of Great Britain Ltd.
Registration Number: G-BFPU
Location: 11 km NE of Karima –
ÿ Sudan
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: DC-3 aircraft engine(s)DC-3 aircraft engine(s)
Category: Accident
A DC-3 aircraft experienced a series of critical engine failures during a flight from London to Nice. Initial symptoms centered around a backfiring of the first engine, followed by a diversion to Toulon, engine changes, and ultimately a return to the original route. Subsequent issues included exceeding oil pressure and cylinder head temperature, a prop overspeed, and a subsequent engine restart. The flight ended with a wheels-up landing and the DC-3’s demise.A DC-3 aircraft experienced a series of critical engine failures during a flight from London to Nice. Initial symptoms centered around a backfiring of the first engine, followed by a diversion to Toulon, engine changes, and ultimately a return to the original route. Subsequent issues included exceeding oil pressure and cylinder head temperature, a prop overspeed, and a subsequent engine restart. The flight ended with a wheels-up landing and the DC-3’s demise.
Description
Engine problems (backfiring of the no. 1 engine) on the first leg of the ferry flight (London-Gatwick to Nice) forced the crew to divert to Toulon, were the spark plugs were changed. Soon after takeoff from Toulon the same symptoms occurred. The aircraft turned back and the carburetor was changed. The rest of the flight was uneventful until 70 miles from Karima. The no. 2 engine oil pressure and cylinder head temperature exceeded the limits, the no. 2 prop oversped and had to be feathered. Soon afterwards the no. 1 engine started backfiring. A wheels-up landing was carried out. The DC-3 burnt out. The airplane was reportedly being ferried to Yemen.
Primary Cause
Engine failures, specifically a backfiring of the first engine, coupled with subsequent issues related to oil pressure, cylinder head temperature, prop overspeed, and a restart of the first engine.Engine failures, specifically a backfiring of the first engine, coupled with subsequent issues related to oil pressure, cylinder head temperature, prop overspeed, and a restart of the first engine.Share on:
