# NTSB DEN86LA102: Douglas C-47, N37AP, Steins, NM, March 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1986, 13:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Steins, NM
- Coordinates: 32.34069, -108.699081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3407&lon=-108.6991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - buckled
  - oxygen system,crew - leak

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE LEFT ENG OF THE C-47 LOST PARTIAL PWR AS A RESULT OF A CRACKED CYLINDER. THE CREW STATED THE LEFT ENG WAS SHUT DOWN AND ADDITIONAL PWR WAS APPLIED TO THE RIGHT ENG TO COMPENSATE FOR THE INCREASING RATE OF DESCENT. THE CREW STATED A SHORT TIME LATER, THE RIGHT ENG STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, INTERNAL MALFUNCTION COULD BE DETERMINED IN THE RIGHT ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37AP-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 4430, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C-47
- 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: 4430
- Airframe hours: 13201
- Engines: P&W R-1830-90D 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Atorie Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1986, 15 hours before
- Departed: PHZ, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Shady Grove, runway 8, 3,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,370 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 6,998 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19860323011119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860323011119A), Mar 23, 1986: Doug C47, Steins, NM, Substantial damage. Lost left engine due to a cracked cylinder. Reported right engine lost power reason unverified. Overran dirt strip.

## Other investigations on N37AP (1)

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 ATL97LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA012), Oct 31, 1996: Douglas C-47 (N37AP), Dorado, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the #11 cylinder on the right (#2) engine, which resulted in an in-flight fire and loss of power in that engine; and a malfunction/failure of the #2 feathering system, which led to a…

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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