# NTSB ATL01FA040: Douglas DC-3, N842MB, Donalsonville, GA, March 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 2001, 21:30 local (Mar 16, 2001, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Donalsonville, GA - Coordinates: 31.039035, -84.869529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0390&lon=-84.8695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01FA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51944/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01FA040 ## Probable cause The failure and separation of No.12 cylinder from the engine case that resulted in an in-flight oil fed fire; and the subsequent separation of the right engine from airframe. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause) - Fire, cruise - Engine tearaway, cruise - Forced landing, descent - emergency ## Analysis The DC-3 experienced an in-flight engine fire, and made a forced landing at nearby airport, following the separation of the right engine assembly from the airframe. According to the pilot, during cruise flight, at 5000 feet, he heard a loud "bang" and saw a reflection of fire on his left engine nacelle. Fire damage was found on the trailing edge of the right wing and on the landing gear assembly. The engine examination also showed that No. 12 cylinder had separated from the main case. Evidence of oil from the No. 12 cylinder was found across engine and exhaust systems. Further examination revealed Nos. 7, 8 and 9 cylinders also failed and separated, and the engine seized and separated from the airframe. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 15, 2001, at 2130 eastern standard time, a DC-3, N842MB, experienced an in-flight engine fire, and made a forced landing at Donalsonville Municipal Airport, Georgia, following the separation of the right engine assembly from the airframe. The cargo flight was operated by Jim Hankins Air Service, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135, with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage, and the pilot and co-pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Panama City, Florida, at 1950. According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 5000 feet, he heard a loud "Bang". The pilot then stated that he saw a reflection of fire on his left engine nacelle. The co-pilot stated that they had an engine fire on the right engine. The pilot commenced engine shut down procedures. When the pilot attempted to feather the propeller, the propeller did not feather. When the pilot pulled the extinguishing agent for the right engine, the engine separated from the aircraft. The airplane then lost hydraulic pressure. The pilot established visual contact with Donalsonville Municipal Airport, and made an emergency landing on runway 18 without further incident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held an airline transport certificate with airplane single and multi-engine land, instrument ratings. His total flight time was 6000 hours, with 700 hours in the DC-3. The pilot held a current first class medical certificate, dated July 25, 2000, with no waivers or limitations. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The DC-3, N842MB, was owned and operated by Jim Hawkins Air Service Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi. N842MB was a low-wing airplane powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1530-90D, 1200 horsepower engines. A review of the airplanes maintenance logbooks showed the last maintenance inspection was completed on March 1, 2001. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The Albany weather observation reported 10 statute miles visibility, wind 230 at 12 knots, temperature 24, dew point 7, and the sky was clear. AIRPORT INFORMATION Donalsonville Municipal Airport has one paved runway: 18/36. At the time of the accident, runway 18 was used for the forced landing. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane revealed the right engine and nacelle separated forward from the leading edge of the right wing. Evidence of fire damage was found on the trailing edge of the wing and landing gear. The right engine was found 10 miles southwest of Donalsonville Municipal Airport, in the backyard of a farmer's home. The engine examination also showed that No. 12 cylinder had failed and separated from the main case, and the No. 12 connecting rod was bent and fractured at the piston pin. Evidence of oil from the No. 12 cylinder was found across engine and exhaust systems, and evidence of fire was observed along the trail of engine oil. Further examination revealed Nos.7, 8 and 9 cylinders had also separated from the engine case. The engine had seized, and efforts to rotate the engine during the post accident examination failed. The review of the engine maintenance logs showed that the right engine was approximately 506 hours out of the last overhaul. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The airplane wreckage was released on May 08, 2001 to Bill Blankenship, insurance adjuster, Ormond Beach, Florida. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N842MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N842MB-2003-03-19), registration cancelled 2003-03-19, S/N 19741, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Douglas DC-3 - Registry model: [Douglas C-47](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c-47) (registry code 3021461) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19741 - Airframe hours: 17 - Engines: P&W R-1530-90D 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Jim Hankins Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, March 1, 2001, 17 hours before - Departed: PFN, Panama City, FL - Destination: ABY, Albany, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 17J, Donalsonville Muni, runway 18, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 1, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 1,992 total, 37 in this make and model, 1,870 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: ABY ## 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 20010315006829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010315006829A), Mar 15, 2001: Doug C47, Donaldsonville, GA, No damage. (-23) Departed pfn IFR to aby. A/c was level-cruising @5000 when the crew heard a noise. The fo indicated that the right engine was on fire. And reported this… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.