# NTSB SEA87LA041: Douglas C-54/DC-4, N96361, Pacific Ocean, WA, December 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1986, 18:00 local (Dec 24, 1986, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Pacific Ocean, WA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPTD THAT HE DITCHED HIS DC-4 IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN ON THE EVENING OF DECEMBER 23 AFTER EXPERIENCING AN UNCONTROLLABLE NO. 3 ENG FIRE AT THE CONCLUSION OF A TNG FLT. THE DITCHING OCCURRED IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WITH MINIMAL 10 FOOT SWELLS HAVING A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND THE ACRFT WAS REPTD TO HAVE REMAINED AFLOAT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER THE DITCHING. ALTHOUGH THE FLT PENETRATED THE PACIFIC COASTAL ADIZ ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS NO RADAR EVIDENCE CORROBORATED THE PENETRATIONS NOR WAS THERE ANY RECEIPT OF THE PLTS MAYDAY ON 121.5 MHZ. NO WRECKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ALONG THE WASHINGTON SHORELINE SINCE THE EVENT. WX CONDTNS AT 1750 HRS PST WITHIN 20 MILES OF THE DITCHING WERE REPTD AS MEASURED 900 FOOT OVCST WITH 1.5 MILES VIS IN LIGHT RAIN AND FOG. SFC WINDS PREVAILED FROM THE SOUTHEAST YET THE TWO PLTS REPTDLY DRIFTED NORTHEAST COVERING A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 14 NAUTICAL MILES VIA RAFT IN 16 HOURS. THE BOARD'S FINDINGS SURROUNDING THIS EVENT REMAIN UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96361](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96361-1995-04-03), registration cancelled 1995-04-03, S/N 90412 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C-54/DC-4
- Registry model: [Douglas C-54](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c-54) (registry code 3021506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 90412
- Airframe hours: 27804
- Engines: P&W R-2000 1450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: West Coast Air Cargo
- Registered owner: Services Organized, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 1, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: S88, ARLINGTON, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UIL, 18 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 19861223081679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861223081679A), Dec 23, 1986: Doug C54, La Push, WA, Substantial damage. The aircraft reportedly had an engine fire and was ditched. Pilot reported incident conflict with available data.

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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