Incident Overview

Date: Monday 12 September 1977
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-7BF
Owner/operator: Safe Air Cargo
Registration Number: N6314J
Location: 4 km NW of Yakutat Airport, AK (YAK) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Aircraft powerplant (specifically the propeller)Aircraft powerplant (specifically the propeller)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An aircraft, operating at a low altitude, crashed after passing 30-40 feet above tree tops following a loss of power on one engine. The aircraft was overweight and experienced a partial power loss, resulting in a prop failure. The autofeather system was not connected, leading to an inability of the propeller to feather. The incident occurred in a logged area, approximately 2.55 miles from the runway end.An aircraft, operating at a low altitude, crashed after passing 30-40 feet above tree tops following a loss of power on one engine. The aircraft was overweight and experienced a partial power loss, resulting in a prop failure. The autofeather system was not connected, leading to an inability of the propeller to feather. The incident occurred in a logged area, approximately 2.55 miles from the runway end.

Description

The aircraft barely climbed after lifting off from runway 29 and was seen to pass at 30-40 feet above tree tops before it crashed in a logged area 2,55 miles from the runway end. The aircraft was 1745lb overweight and had lost power on one engine. Because the autofeather system was not connected, the prop did not feather. PROBABLE CAUSE: pilot in command – attempted operation w/known deficiencies in equipment personnel – maintenance,servicing,inspection: inadequate maintenance and inspection powerplant – exhaust system: stacks powerplant – engine structure: valve assemblies miscellaneous acts,conditions – fire in engine FACTORS: miscellaneous acts,conditions – improperly loaded aircraft-weight-and/or c.g. miscellaneous acts,conditions – improper emergency procedures miscellaneous acts,conditions – pilot fatigue partial power loss – partial loss of power – 1 engine

Primary Cause

Pilot in command ? attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment, personnel, maintenance, servicing, inspection, and inadequate maintenance and inspection of the powerplant, exhaust system, engine structure, valve assemblies, and miscellaneous acts.Pilot in command ? attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment, personnel, maintenance, servicing, inspection, and inadequate maintenance and inspection of the powerplant, exhaust system, engine structure, valve assemblies, and miscellaneous acts.

Share on:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *