Narrative:
Shortly after takeoff from Coolawanyah Airport, Australia, a fire was noticed in the auxiliary compartment of the no.1 engine. This was eventually extinguished and the aircraft returned to Coolawanyah. A safe landing on one engine was carried out at 13:32, twelve minutes after takeoff.
Conclusion: "The fire was due to fuel leaking from the connection between the fuel pressure gauge line and the elbow in E., chamber of the carburettor and being ignited. The cause of the fuel leak was the incorrect fitting of the union nut on the fuel line to the elbow in the carburettor."
Forced landing on runway
accident date: 25-01-1951
type: Douglas DC-3C
registration: VH-MMK
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 25 January 1951 |
| Time: | 13:26 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3C |
| Operator: | MacRobertson Miller Airlines |
| Registration: | VH-MMK |
| MSN: | 19950 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7130 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Coolawanyah Airport, WA (COY) ( Australia)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Coolawanyah Airport, WA (COY/YCWY), Australia |
| Port Hedland Airport, WA (PHE/YPPD), Australia | |
| Flightnumber: | 744R |
Shortly after takeoff from Coolawanyah Airport, Australia, a fire was noticed in the auxiliary compartment of the no.1 engine. This was eventually extinguished and the aircraft returned to Coolawanyah. A safe landing on one engine was carried out at 13:32, twelve minutes after takeoff.
Probable Cause:
Conclusion: "The fire was due to fuel leaking from the connection between the fuel pressure gauge line and the elbow in E., chamber of the carburettor and being ignited. The cause of the fuel leak was the incorrect fitting of the union nut on the fuel line to the elbow in the carburettor."
Classification:
Engine fireForced landing on runway
Sources:
» Accident at Coolawanyah WA DC 3 aircraft on 25 January 1951 - VH-MMK / DCAPhotos
accident date: 25-01-1951
type: Douglas DC-3C
registration: VH-MMK
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 Coolawanyah Airport, WA to Port Hedland Airport, WA as the crow flies is 181 km (113 miles).
Distance from Coolawanyah Airport, WA to Port Hedland Airport, WA as the crow flies is 181 km (113 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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