# NTSB DCA76AZ020: Douglas DC-6, N901MA, Van Nuys, CA, February 8, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 8, 1976
- Place: Van Nuys, CA · VAN NUYS, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1976
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA76AZ020
- Board report AAR7617 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR7617.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA76AZ020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0015   76/2/8  NR.VAN NUYS,CA        DOUGLAS DC-6        CR-  3  0  2  FERRY                     AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1044                    N901MA              PX-  0  0  1                            38, 10558 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN NUYS
        OPERATOR - MERCER AIRLINES, INC.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BURBANK,CA                  ONTARIO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: PROPELLER                       TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: BUILDING(S)                               LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FAILURE OF TWO OR MORE ENGINES
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - HYDRAULIC FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - THRUST-UNABLE TO REVERSE
           WEATHER - RAIN
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST/LOWER SCATTERED                                  10000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      56
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          130                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FATIGUE,NR1 BLADE,NR3 ENG.BLADE SEVERED FUSELAGE.ABORTED LDG ATMT BUR,UN MAINTAIN FLT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N901MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N901MA-1978-03-27), registration cancelled 1978-03-27, S/N 36326, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-6
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-61YC-112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-61yc-112a) (registry code 3021704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Van Nuys

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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