Narrative:
The aircraft was climbing following a cargo-paradrop on a forest fire when the no. 2 engine suffered a massive internal failure, resulting in fire and an explosion. Cargo was jettisoned and the 4 "cargo kickers" and co-pilot safely parachuted from the plane. The captain carried out an emergency belly landing on a sand bar.
PROBABLE CAUSE(S):
powerplant - miscellaneous: powerplant failure for undetermined reasons
miscellaneous acts,conditions - fire in engine
FACTOR(S):
personnel - maintenance,servicing,inspection: inadequate maintenance and inspection
terrain - loose gravel
terrain - sandy
complete power loss - complete engine failure/flameout-1 engine
emergency circumstances - forced landing off airport on land
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 27 June 1981 |
| Time: | 22:15 |
| Type: |  Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar |
| Operator: | Hawkins & Powers Aviation |
| Registration: | N8682 |
| MSN: | 10859 |
| First flight: | |
| Engines: | 2 Wright R-3350 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Bettles, AK ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Maneuvering (MNV) |
| Nature: | Fire fighting |
| Departure airport: | Bettles Airport, AK (BTT/PABT), United States of America |
| Fort Yukon Airport, AK (FYU/PFYU), United States of America |
The aircraft was climbing following a cargo-paradrop on a forest fire when the no. 2 engine suffered a massive internal failure, resulting in fire and an explosion. Cargo was jettisoned and the 4 "cargo kickers" and co-pilot safely parachuted from the plane. The captain carried out an emergency belly landing on a sand bar.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE(S):
powerplant - miscellaneous: powerplant failure for undetermined reasons
miscellaneous acts,conditions - fire in engine
FACTOR(S):
personnel - maintenance,servicing,inspection: inadequate maintenance and inspection
terrain - loose gravel
terrain - sandy
complete power loss - complete engine failure/flameout-1 engine
emergency circumstances - forced landing off airport on land
Classification:
Forced landing outside airport
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Bettles Airport, AK to Fort Yukon Airport, AK as the crow flies is 276 km (172 miles).
Distance from Bettles Airport, AK to Fort Yukon Airport, AK as the crow flies is 276 km (172 miles).
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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