Narrative:
The DC-3 departed Hollywood at night for a test flight following an engine change. After reporting an engine failure the pilot tried to return to the airport. In conditions of ground fog the aircraft approached too high. While maneuvering for another approach the DC-3 struck eucalyptus trees, crashed and burst into flames in the yard of 11723 Lorne Street, North Hollywood. Excessive oil accumulation in the no. 8 cylinder on the no. 1 engine forced the crew to shut it down.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The action of the pilot in descending to an excessively low altitude in an attempt to remain contact after encountering ground fog during an approach for an emergency landing. A contributing factor was failure of the left engine due to excessive oil accumulation in the No. 8 cylinder prior to starting the engine. A further contributing factor was the failure of maintenance personnel to take proper precaution for drainage of oil accumulation prior to starting the engine."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 24 April 1946 |
| Time: | 01:57 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3A-367 |
| Operator: | Western Air Lines |
| Registration: | NC33621 |
| MSN: | 3286 |
| First flight: | 1941 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 13354 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 3 km (1.9 mls) NW of Hollywood, CA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Test |
| Departure airport: | Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR/KBUR), United States of America |
| Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR/KBUR), United States of America |
The DC-3 departed Hollywood at night for a test flight following an engine change. After reporting an engine failure the pilot tried to return to the airport. In conditions of ground fog the aircraft approached too high. While maneuvering for another approach the DC-3 struck eucalyptus trees, crashed and burst into flames in the yard of 11723 Lorne Street, North Hollywood. Excessive oil accumulation in the no. 8 cylinder on the no. 1 engine forced the crew to shut it down.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The action of the pilot in descending to an excessively low altitude in an attempt to remain contact after encountering ground fog during an approach for an emergency landing. A contributing factor was failure of the left engine due to excessive oil accumulation in the No. 8 cylinder prior to starting the engine. A further contributing factor was the failure of maintenance personnel to take proper precaution for drainage of oil accumulation prior to starting the engine."
Accident investigation:
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Sources:
» CAB File No. 872-46Photos
Map
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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