# NTSB LAX83FA310: Douglas DC-4-C55B, N300JT, Kahului, HI, June 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1983, 02:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Kahului, HI
- Coordinates: 20.870027, -156.45021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8700&lon=-156.4502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA310

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, A DESCENT WAS BEGUN FROM 8000 TO 7000 FT MSL AT 0151 HST. AT 0155 HST, THE AIRCREW WAS CLEARED FOR A VISUAL APCH FROM 7000 FT MSL & A RAPID DESCENT WAS STARTED WITH 20 DEG OF FLAPS & APRX 25 INCHES MAP (MANIFOLD PRESSURE). THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERED TO INTERCEPT THE ILS LOCALIZER & GLIDE SLOPE AS A REFERENCE. AFTER INTERCEPTING THE GLIDE SLOPE AT ABOUT 3000 FT, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) CALLED FOR 2250 RPM & GEAR EXTENSION. WHILE DESCENDING THRU APRX 2000 FT, HE NOTICED THE ACFT SLOWING DOWN & DESCENDING BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE, SO HE CALLED FOR A POWER INCREASE TO 27 INCHES MAP. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE AIRCREW NOTED THAT THE ENGS WERE NOT RESPONDING & HAD LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A SUGAR CANE FIELD WITH THE GEAR IN A TRANSIENT POSITION. THE FUEL SELECTORS WERE FOUND POSITIONED TO FUEL TANKS CONTAINING FUEL, BUT THE POSITIONING DURING THE DESCENT WAS NOT VERIFIED. THE TEMP &DEW POINT WERE 72 & 65 DEG. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN BARELY WITHIN THE ENVELOPE FOR CARB ICE ON ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300JT-1983-12-01), registration cancelled 1983-12-01, S/N 36072, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-4-C55B
- Registry model: [Douglas C54G-DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c54g-dc) (registry code 3021534) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36072
- Airframe hours: 55517
- Engines: P&W R2000 1450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Pacific Air Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 3, 1983, 63 hours before
- Departed: ITO, HILO, HI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OGG, Kahului

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 375 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGG, 4 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 19830629027349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830629027349A), Jun 29, 1983: Doug DC4, Kahului, HI, Substantial damage. All four engines quit during approach for landing. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing in field.

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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