Narrative:
An unguarded light bulb came into contact with combustible cargo in the aft lower cargo compartment causing a fire. The fire penetrated the cargo compartment wall, burned through combustible fluid carrying lines and ignited the fluids. The plane passed over Alma, GA at that moment and the crew reported that they were on fire and that they were experiencing control problems. Shortly afterwards the aircraft lost control and crashed.
| Status: | Information verified through authorities or other official sources. |
| Date: | Monday 30 March 1959 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando |
| Operator: | Riddle Airlines |
| Registration: | N7840B |
| MSN: | 30242 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Alma, GA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Unknown (UNK) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Orlando International Airport, FL (MCO/KMCO), United States of America |
| ? | |
| Flightnumber: | 402 |
An unguarded light bulb came into contact with combustible cargo in the aft lower cargo compartment causing a fire. The fire penetrated the cargo compartment wall, burned through combustible fluid carrying lines and ignited the fluids. The plane passed over Alma, GA at that moment and the crew reported that they were on fire and that they were experiencing control problems. Shortly afterwards the aircraft lost control and crashed.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 62-AN/57 (112-113)Photos
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.
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