# NTSB FTW84FA038: Douglas DC-3-3C, N44896, Laredo, TX, November 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1983, 20:30 local (Nov 1, 1983, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Laredo, TX
- Coordinates: 27.510149, -99.499458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5101&lon=-99.4995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuselage - fire (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuselage,bulkhead - burned
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ORIGINAL FLT WAS ABORTED DUE TO A MAGNETO PROBLEM. THE DEFECT WAS CORRECTED, BUT DUE TO THE DELAYED TAKEOFF, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY TO MCALLEN, TX, FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCREW NOTED SPARKS/FLARES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CARGO/CABIN AREA, BEHIND A BULKHEAD. THE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF & ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT WERE UNABLE. THE CREW THEN EVACUATED THE ACFT & THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION WAS MADE, BUT THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44896 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3-3C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9665
- Airframe hours: 40694
- Engines: P&W R-1830-92 1830 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Hines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 25, 1983, 45 hours before
- Destination: MFE, MCALLEN, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: LRD, Laredo Internationl, runway 17, 7,809 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,100 total, 5,100 in this make and model, 4,850 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LRD

## 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 19831031055799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831031055799A), Oct 31, 1983: Doug DC3CS4C4G, Laredo, TX, Destroyed. Fire erupted in forward cargo compartment of a undetermined origin during the takeoff roll. Takeoff was aborted.

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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