# NTSB FTW82FRG20: Curtis C46, N1698M, Laredo, TX, January 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1982, 00:45 local (06:45 UTC)
- Place: Laredo, TX
- Coordinates: 27.509773, -99.500167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5098&lon=-99.5002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRG20
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71370/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG20

## Sequence of events

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

- Explosion, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,tank - loose (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - corroded (cause)
  - maintenance - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - cracked (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - leak (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING THE EXTERIOR INSPECTION THE PILOT NOTED THAT FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM BOTH WINGS INBOARD OF THE FUEL TANKS AT THE REAR ATTACH ANGLE FAIRING PLATES. JUST AFTER STARTING THE RIGHT ENGINE AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE RIGHT WING. THE CREW SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND WHILE DEPARTING THE AIRCRAFT THE LEFT WING EXPLODED. EXAMINATION REVEALED BOTH THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR FUEL TANK FILLER NECKS WERE LOOSE AND COULD BE TURNED BY HAND. THE FILLER NECK WASHER WAS CORRODED AND FILLER NECK SCUPPER WAS CRACKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1698M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CURTIS C46
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 37893
- Engines: P&W R-2350 2500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 125
- Operator: South Central Aviation
- Registered owner: South Central Aviation
- Departed: LRD, LAREDO, TX
- Destination: TAMPICO, MEXICO, OF
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: LRD, Laredo Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 14,553 total, 7,800 in this make and model, 13,553 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 138 °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 19820107000859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820107000859A), Jan 7, 1982: Curtis C46FCURTIS, Laredo, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot saw fuel leaks from wings. Both wings exploded as right engine was started. Leaky corroded fuel filler necks.

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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