# NTSB DEN91LA102: Douglas DC-3C, N96H, Albuquerque, NM, July 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1991, 19:20 local (Jul 20, 1991, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0389° N, 106.6083° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ALBUQUERQUE INTL SUNPORT (ABQ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0389&lon=-106.6083&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA102

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - exploded
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR TIRE EXPLODED CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND LOOPED. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED IN OVERLOAD AS THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND INTO THE DIRT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96H-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 19224, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3C
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3C-S1C3G](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c-s1c3g) (registry code 3021458) (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: 19224
- Engines: P&W R1830-92 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: B&M Enterprises, doing business as New Mexico Flying Service
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque International, runway 17, 10,010 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,277 total, 721 in this make and model, 3,784 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910719028959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910719028959A), Jul 19, 1991: Doug DC3C, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Right main tire exploded on takeoff roll. Lost control and ground looped.

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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