# NTSB MIA93LA106: Douglas DC-3C, N8056, Zephyrhills, FL, April 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1993, 16:24 local (20:24 UTC)
- Place: Zephyrhills, FL
- Coordinates: 28.259283, -82.129539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2593&lon=-82.1295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 42 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN BEST SINGLE-ENGINE RATE-OF-CLIMB SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A POSSIBLE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,clamp - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vyse) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON INITIAL CLIMB, AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL, THE CREW SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, FOLLOWED BY LIGHT SMOKE IN THE CABIN. BOTH ENGINES APPEARED NORMAL VISUALLY. THE ODOR AND SMOKE INCREASED, AND THE LEFT FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN & THE PROP FEATHERED. THE PILOT INCREASED POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB OR MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A GEAR AND FLAPS UP FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED AN EXHAUST CLAMP BROKE ALLOWING A SEGMENT OF EXHAUST TO SCORCH COWLING AND ACTIVATE THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE LOWER FIRE DETECTION ELEMENTS WERE FUSED AND BROKEN FREE, AND THAT THE HYDRAULIC LINES WERE BURNED THROUGH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8056](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8056-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 25735, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3C
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c) (registry code 3021457) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25735
- Airframe hours: 16891
- Engines: P&W 1830-75 1350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Phoenix Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1993, 15 hours before
- Departed: ZPH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 4,150 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 11 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 19930420009749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930420009749A), Apr 20, 1993: Doug DC3C, Zephyrhills, FL, Substantial damage. Left engine fire on climbout. Shut down. Settled into a field. 40 skydivers onboard exhaust clamp broken.

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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