# NTSB FTW85LA029: Douglas DC3C, N3433U, El Paso, TX, October 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1984, 18:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.800411, -106.359291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8004&lon=-106.3593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21612/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA029

## 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 instruments,oil pressure gage - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,oil temperature gage - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - gear extension - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - hydraulic system,pump - disabled
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE AND HIGH OIL TEMP THE RIGHT ENG WAS SECURED. DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING GEAR EXTENSION WAS DELAYED UNTIL APRX 800 FT AGL. SINCE THE RIGHT ENG POWERS THE ONLY HYDRAULIC PUMP A LANDING GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED CONDITION WAS NOT POSSIBLE BY THE NORMAL MEANS. AS THE GEAR WERE EXTENDED AND HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BEGAN TO DECREASE THE PLT REALIZED THAT NORMAL GEAR EXTENSION WOULD NOT OCCUR. THE ALT OF THE ACFT PRECLUDED THE EMERG EXTENTION OF THE LANDING GEAR. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3433U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3433U-1989-01-06), registration cancelled 1989-01-06, S/N 43087 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC3C
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c) (registry code 3021457) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43087
- Engines: P&W R-1830-90C 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Atorie Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Airport: ELP, El Paso Intl., runway 26L, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 815 in this make and model, 5,930 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841026058749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841026058749A), Oct 26, 1984: Doug DC3C, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Right engine oil pressure low, shutdown. Extend gear. Short final. No hydraulic pressure. Too close for hand pump.

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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