# NTSB FTW85LA151: Douglas A-26B, N142ER, Lawton, OK, March 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1985, 16:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Lawton, OK
- Location: 34.6087° N, 98.3903° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lawton, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6087&lon=-98.3903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - pre-flight
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - accessory drive assy - fire (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Forced landing, landing
  - engine assembly - fire
  - nacelle/pylon - fire
  - wing - fire
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - fire
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

AN INTERMITTANT FIRE IN THE LEFT ENGINE ACCESSORY SECTION LED TO LOSS OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE RIGHT ENGINE INJESTED WATER AND QUIT. THE LANDING GEAR HAD BEEN LEFT PINNED IN THE DOWN POSITION BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION REPORTED ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT. NEITHER PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED, BUT THE RESULTING HIGH RATE OF DESCENT LED TO A FORCED LANDING BEFORE THE LEFT TANK BLEW UP AND THE WING BURNED OFF. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER ALL THREE OCCUPANTS ESCAPED WITHOUT SERIOUS INJURY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FERRIED TO ANOTHER FACILITY FOR RESTORATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N142ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N142ER-1988-07-21), registration cancelled 1988-07-21, S/N 6928 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS A-26B
- Registry model: [Douglas A-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-a-26b) (registry code 3020504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6928
- Airframe hours: 2090
- Engines: P&W R-2800-79 2000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ada Aircraft Museum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 3, 1983
- Departed: ADH, ADA, OK
- Destination: FDR, FREDERICK, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,395 total, 158 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAW, 10 nm away

## 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 19850317007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850317007419A), Mar 17, 1985: Doug A26BSHIELDS, Lawton, OK, Destroyed. Engine fire of unknown origin. Other engine lost power. Possible water in fuel. Gear collapsed in drainage ditch.

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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