# NTSB LAX82DA042: Convair 440, N21DR, Honolulu, HI, January 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1982, 22:45 local (Jan 18, 1982, 08:45 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.349302, -157.880371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3493&lon=-157.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine assembly,ring - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine assembly,other - worn (contributing factor)
- Fire/explosion, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE PILOT CALLED FOR THE LANDING GEAR TO BE RAISED. AS THE PLANE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE PILOT NOTED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE RIGHT ENGINE AND SAW A FIRE LIGHT. GROUND WITNESSES HEARD A MUFFLED EXPLOSION AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE TRAILING FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS FEATHERED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PLANE WAS DITCHED NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF PEARL HARBOR. A TEARDOWN OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE TOP RING LANDS OF THE NO. 10 AND NO. 14 PISTONS WERE BROKEN AND THE TOP RING WAS MISSING FROM EACH OF THE PISTONS. ALSO, THE REAR COUNTER- BALANCE DRIVE INTERMEDIATE GEAR WAS WORN AND 11 GEAR TEETH WERE MISSING. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR COUNTERBALANCE DRIVE GEAR WAS WORN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21DR-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 325 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONVAIR 440
- Registry model: [Convair 440](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-440) (registry code 2422902) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 325
- Airframe hours: 40846
- Engines: P & W R-2800 2400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Island Airlines Hawaii Inc.
- Registered owner: Emissary Airways, Inc.
- Departed: HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: MAUI, HI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Honolulu Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,550 total, 88 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Observed at: HNL

## 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 19820117070869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820117070869A), Jan 17, 1982: Cvac 440, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed. Right engine caught fire after takeoff, feathered. Unable to maintain altitude, ditched. Reports lost in mail.

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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