# NTSB FTW86FA060: Douglas DC-3C, N25CE, El Paso, TX, April 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1986, 17:30 local (Apr 6, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.800434, -106.360313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8004&lon=-106.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,governor - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, unqualified person
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - inoperative (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LEVELING OFF FROM CLIMB WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A PROP RUNAWAY. HE OBSERVED OIL STREAMING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE, BUT COULD NOT FEATHER. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WITH A WINDMILLING PROP, HE PERFORMED A GEAR UP EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE DESERT. TEARDOWNS WERE PERFORMED, BUT THE EVIDENCE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH. THE ORIGIN OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS NOT DISCOVERED. THE OPERATOR SUBSEQUENTLY SURRENDERED HIS PART 121 CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25CE-1991-10-25), registration cancelled 1991-10-25, S/N 12476 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3C
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3) (registry code 3021401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12476
- Airframe hours: 21455
- Engines: P&W R-1830-94 1150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Atorie Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 4, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ELP, El Paso

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,160 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 12 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 19860405011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860405011079A), Apr 5, 1986: Doug DC3, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Runaway propeller on left engine with heavy oil loss. Unable to feather or maintain altitude. Landed off airport.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.