# NTSB ANC92LA109: De Havilland DHC-3, N41755, Mcgrath, AK, July 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1992, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610359, -154.779342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6104&lon=-154.7793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA109

## Probable cause

THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE ACCESSORY DRIVE ASSEMBLY.  FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH AN UNEVEN FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, cruise
  - accessory drive assy - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED A SLIGHT FIRE SMELL.  THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER SLOWLY AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ENGINE CONTROL INPUTS.  THE PILOT LANDED ON A GRAVEL BAR AND HAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE ACCESSORY CASE WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DIRT. THE AIRPLANE HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED AND THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41755](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41755-2006-01-24), registration cancelled 2006-01-24, S/N 339, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-3
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-3) (registry code 2800202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney W-S1H&S3H](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-w-s1h-s3h) (registry code 52012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 339
- Airframe hours: 10587
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN2 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Woods Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Woods Air Fuel, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 10, 1992, 50 hours before
- Departed: 5NI, NIKOLI, AK
- Destination: SILVERTIP LODGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,500 total, 320 in this make and model, 8,045 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920722026779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920722026779A), Jul 22, 1992: Dhav DHC3, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Smelled smoke. Engine slowly lost power. Force landed in dry river bed. Put engine fire out in accessory section.

## Other investigations on N41755 (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC89IA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89IA099), Jun 20, 1989: De Havilland DHC-3 (N41755), Palmer, AK, incident, no damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE LUBRICATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER'S TRIM ACTUATOR.
- [NTSB ANC82FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA081), Sep 1, 1982: de Havilland DHC-3 (N41755), Near Skwentna, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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