# NTSB NYC91LA220: Douglas DC-3, N13JA, Apple Creek, OH, August 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1991, 14:08 local (18:08 UTC)
- Place: Apple Creek, OH
- Coordinates: 40.749336, -81.840034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7493&lon=-81.8400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 26 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA220

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S), AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL SELECTOR.  THE LOCATION OF TREES WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

JUST AFTER THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE FOR A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT, ITS LEFT ENG LOST PWR. THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LEFT & THE LEFT PROP WAS FEATHERED. THE ACFT'S FLT PATH ANGLED TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY & CROSSED OVER TREES TO THE LEFT OF THE DEP END OF THE RWY. DUE TO A LOSS OF SPEED, THE CAPT REALIZED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLR A 2ND ROW OF TREES, SO HE REDUCED PWR IN THE RGT ENG & MADE A WHEELS UP LNDG IN A CORN FLD. DRG THE LNDG, THE ACFT WAS DMGD. THE LEFT ENG WAS CHECKED AFTER THE ACDNT & IT PRODUCED TAKEOFF PWR. PERFORMANCE CHARTS SHOWED THAT A TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 3551' WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50' OBSTACLE. THIS DISTANCE WAS PREDICATED ON A HARD SURFACE; NO CORRECTION FACTOR WAS SUPPLIED FOR A TURF RWY. THE GRASS RWY WAS 3600' LONG. RPRTDLY, THE TAKEOFF WAS STARTED WITH 3500' OF RUNWAY REMAINING. THE PLTS WERE USING THE REAR TANKS FOR TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE FLT MANUAL, TAKEOFFS & CLIMBS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE USING THE LEFT & RGT FRONT CENTER WING TANKS, RESPECTIVELY. THE FRONT TANKS HAD ONLY ABOUT 5 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13JA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4082
- Airframe hours: 52452
- Engines: P&W R-1830-75 1350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Jaars, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 20, 1991, 4 hours before
- Departed: OH22
- Destination: OH22
- Airport: OH22, Stoltzfus Airfield, runway 36, 3,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 1,873 in this make and model, 5,123 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910824036479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910824036479A), Aug 24, 1991: Doug DC3A, Applecreek, OH, Substantial damage. Left engine lost power on takeoff from short field. Feathered unable clear trees. Landed gear up 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.

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