# NTSB CHI94LA074: Douglas DC3C, N907Z, Anderson, IN, January 31, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 1994, 11:29 local (16:29 UTC) - Place: Anderson, IN - Coordinates: 40.130928, -85.760322 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1309&lon=-85.7603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9460/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA074 ## Probable cause the pilot in command's inadequate remedial action after a loss of directional control during the takeoff ground roll. Related factors are the copilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the snow covered, icy runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - runway light ## Analysis FOR THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, THE COPILOT WAS TO PERFORM THE TAKEOFF, WHILE THE CAPTAIN (PIC) MONITORED THE INSTRUMENTS/ENGINE GAUGES. THE PIC STATED THE COPILOT CORRECTED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY 30 (WINDS OUT OF 340 DEGREES AT 7 KNOTS). THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED BACK TO THE LEFT AND CONTINUED TOWARDS THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PIC STATED HE TOOK CONTROL IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE FROM GOING OFF THE RUNWAY, BUT DUE TO 'LACK OF TRACTION' THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT, BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY, BUT THE BOTTOM AFT SECTION OF THE FUSELAGE STRUCK A VASI LIGHT. THE PILOTS DESCRIBED THE RUNWAY AS SNOW AND ICE COVERED. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 1994, at 1129 hours eastern standard time, a Douglas DC 3C, N907Z, operated as an air taxi cargo flight by Miami Valley Aviation, Inc., slid off the snow/ice covered runway and struck VASI lights during an attempted takeoff at Anderson, Indiana. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Commercial pilot reported no injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 135, and originated from Anderson, Indiana, with an intended destination of Flint, Michigan. The flight crew prearranged the division of duties for the departure. The copilot was to handle the flight controls and perform the takeoff, while the Captain (PIC) monitored flight and engine instruments/systems. The PIC reported the airplane began to drift to the right as the takeoff ground roll began. The copilot applied left rudder to compensate, and the airplane drifted back to the left. The captain stated he "took control and added right rudder, cut power on the right engine and added power to the left engine in an attempt to keep the airplane from going off the runway. The airplane corrected back to the right, but due to the lack of traction...snow...continued to drift left." The airplane departed the left side of the runway, then veered back to the right. As the airplane moved toward the runway, the rear fuselage struck a VASI light. The airplane came to a stop on the runway. The local weather observation reported sky partially obscured, 2,000 foot overcast, 2.5 miles visibility in light snow and fog, with winds out of 340 degrees at 7 knots. Postaccident investigation revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N907Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N907Z-2009-10-20), registration cancelled 2009-10-20, S/N 12300, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC3C - Registry model: [Douglas DC3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c) (registry code 3021457) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-90d) (registry code 51622, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12300 - Airframe hours: 16564 - Engines: P&W R1830 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Miami Valley Aviation - Registered owner: Eagle And The Hawks, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 26, 1994, 12 hours before - Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: AID, Anderson Municipal, runway 30, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AID, 1 nm away ## 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 19940131001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940131001259A), Jan 31, 1994: Doug DC3C, Anderson, IN, Substantial damage. Copilot making takeoff. Veered left over corrected. Pilot took over. Poor traction on recovery. Struck VASI light. 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.