Narrative:
Shortly after takeoff from Miami a no. 3 engine fire forced the crew to return to the airport. Altitude was lost while in a right turn until the DC-7 crashed in an open marsh. The plane caught fire and disintegrated while skidding for a considerable distance.
The no.3 engine's no.11 cylinder had failed 3 inches above the mounting flange.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the captain to maintain altitude during an emergency return to the airport due to his undue preoccupation with an engine fire following takeoff."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 25 March 1958 |
| Time: | 00:06 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-7C |
| Operator: | Braniff International Airways |
| Registration: | N5904 |
| MSN: | 45072/793 |
| First flight: | 1956 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3306 |
| Engines: | 4 Wright R-3350 (988TC18EA1) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 19 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 24 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 5 km (3.1 mls) WNW of Miami International Airport, FL (MIA) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America |
| Panama City-Tocumen International Airport (PTY/MPTO), Panama | |
| Flightnumber: | 971 |
Shortly after takeoff from Miami a no. 3 engine fire forced the crew to return to the airport. Altitude was lost while in a right turn until the DC-7 crashed in an open marsh. The plane caught fire and disintegrated while skidding for a considerable distance.
The no.3 engine's no.11 cylinder had failed 3 inches above the mounting flange.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the captain to maintain altitude during an emergency return to the airport due to his undue preoccupation with an engine fire following takeoff."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Engine fireLoss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 59-AN/54 (104-108)Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Panama City-Tocumen International Airport as the crow flies is 1850 km (1156 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Panama City-Tocumen International Airport as the crow flies is 1850 km (1156 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
