Douglas DC-3 N842MB

Summary

On 16 March 2001 at about 02:30 local time, a Douglas DC-3 registered N842MB was involved in an accident near Donalsonville, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 March 2001 at 02:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Donalsonville, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Donalsonville Muni (17J)

Coordinates

31.0390, -84.8695

Aircraft

Douglas DC-3

Registration

N842MB

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Panama City → Albany

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ATL01FA040

Nobody was injured.

The failure and separation of No.12 cylinder from the engine case that resulted in an in-flight oil fed fire; and the subsequent separation of the right engine from airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The DC-3 experienced an in-flight engine fire, and made a forced landing at nearby airport, following the separation of the right engine assembly from the airframe. According to the pilot, during cruise flight, at 5000 feet, he heard a loud "bang" and saw a reflection of fire on his left engine nacelle. Fire damage was found on the trailing edge of the right wing and on the landing gear assembly. The engine examination also showed that No. 12 cylinder had separated from the main case. Evidence of oil from the No. 12 cylinder was found across engine and exhaust systems. Further examination revealed Nos. 7, 8 and 9 cylinders also failed and separated, and the engine seized and separated from the airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.