- Date
- December 31, 1985, 17:14 local (23:14 UTC)
- Place
- Dekalb, TX
- Injuries
- 7 fatal, 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N711YDouglas DC-3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Major Investigations Division
- FAA report
- 19851231072819A
- Case key
- 15850
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
At 1708:48, while cruising at 6000', a pilot of N711Y advised ATC, 'I think I'd like to turn around, head for texarkana here, I've got a little problem.' He was provided a vector & advised of closest airports. Shortly after, he stated he would be unable to reach the airports. At 1711:49, he said there was smoke in the cockpit. While landing in a field at 1714, the aircraft hit wires & a pole then continued into trees where it was extensively damaged by impact & fire. The crew egressed thru the cockpit windows. The passengers did not escape. During flight, the crew was unable to start the cabin heater; despite repeated attempts by the captain. Smoke then entered the cabin. Fresh air vents & cockpit windows were opened, but smoke became dense. The crew had difficulty seeing. The oxygen system & hand held fire extinguishers were not used. Fasteners for the heater door were found unfastened. Examination indicated the fire originated in the aftcabin area, right hand side, at or near the floor line. The ignition and fuel sources were not determined.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N711Y
- Reported as
- Douglas DC-3
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 13650
- Engine
- P&W R-1830-75, 1,100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- Both
- Flight
- Executive/Corporate · Part 91
- Operator
- Rick Nelson
- Registered owner
- Century Equipment Company
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- Guntersville, AL
- Destination
- DAL · Dallas, TX
- Flight plan
- IFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 33
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor, Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 5,700 total · 150 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 15 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.