Narrative:
A no. 1 engine fire forced the crew to cut the fuel flow, fire the CO2 bottles and feather the propeller. It was then decided to make an emergency landing at Tucson. When the no. 1 engine separated from the wing however, the crew headed for a private airport at Eloy. They didn't make it to Eloy Airport and had to crash-land the plane in a stubble field. Investigation revealed that the captain was asleep at the time of the fire discovery and that he failed to follow correct emergency procedures. Also, maintenance at Eagle Air Fright was substandard.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was fire in flight which resulted in the loss of the left engine, and required a crash landing. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Contributing factors were the failure of the pilot to remain fully awake at all times, and failure to follow correct emergency procedures."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 12 June 1948 |
| Time: | 01:05 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47A-20-DL (DC-3) |
| Operator: | Eagle Air Freight |
| Registration: | NC79042 |
| MSN: | 9394 |
| First flight: | 1943 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4823 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Eloy, AZ ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR/KBUR), United States of America |
| El Paso International Airport, TX (ELP/KELP), United States of America |
A no. 1 engine fire forced the crew to cut the fuel flow, fire the CO2 bottles and feather the propeller. It was then decided to make an emergency landing at Tucson. When the no. 1 engine separated from the wing however, the crew headed for a private airport at Eloy. They didn't make it to Eloy Airport and had to crash-land the plane in a stubble field. Investigation revealed that the captain was asleep at the time of the fire discovery and that he failed to follow correct emergency procedures. Also, maintenance at Eagle Air Fright was substandard.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was fire in flight which resulted in the loss of the left engine, and required a crash landing. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Contributing factors were the failure of the pilot to remain fully awake at all times, and failure to follow correct emergency procedures."
Accident investigation:
 |
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Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0079Photos
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 Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA to El Paso International Airport, TX as the crow flies is 1140 km (713 miles).
Distance from Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA to El Paso International Airport, TX as the crow flies is 1140 km (713 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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