Incident Overview
Date: Friday 30 July 1982
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47D (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Pronto Aviation Services
Registration Number: N102BL
Location: near El Paso International Airport, TX (ELP) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Lubrication systemLubrication system
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident

A DC-3 aircraft experienced a critical engine oil temperature issue at approximately 800 feet, leading to a go-around due to a gear warning. The aircraft crashed in the desert due to a combination of factors including high altitude, rough terrain, loose gravel, and adverse weather conditions.A DC-3 aircraft experienced a critical engine oil temperature issue at approximately 800 feet, leading to a go-around due to a gear warning. The aircraft crashed in the desert due to a combination of factors including high altitude, rough terrain, loose gravel, and adverse weather conditions.
Description
No.1 engine oil temperature was getting too high at 800 feet on climbout. The crew feathered the prop and tried to return to El Paso. A go-around was initiated due to an unsafe gear warning, but the DC-3 crash-landed in the desert. PROBABLE CAUSE: lubricating system .. no pressure landing gear,gear indicating system .. undetermined CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: weather condition .. high density altitude terrain condition .. rough/uneven terrain condition .. loose gravel/sandy terrain condition .. high vegetation
Primary Cause
Lubrication systemLubrication systemShare on: