Narrative:
Immediately after applying takeoff power, the crew of the DC-6 heard a loud noise and the takeoff was abandoned. A visual check before the plane stopped revealed that the no. 4 engine had separated from the wing. A fire erupted and spread after evacuation, destroying the aircraft. It appeared that the no. 4 propeller had failed and that the unbalanced loads on the engine mounts caused separation of the entire engine.
All crew and passengers survived but six dogs the cargo hold died in the accident.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by fatigue failure of No.1 blade of No.4 propeller. Laboratory findings showed that the failure was caused by previous blade bending resulting in the disruption of the compressive stresses in the shot peened area of the propeller blade."
Prop/turbine blade separation
Runway mishap
» FAA-Daily Mechanical Report no. D 150 (03.08.1959)
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 62-AN/57 (131)
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 22 June 1959 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-6A/B |
| Operator: | Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) |
| Registration: | N5026K |
| MSN: | 44426/477 |
| First flight: | 1954 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Shannon Airport (SNN) ( Ireland)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN), Ireland |
| New York (unknown airport), NY, United States of America |
Immediately after applying takeoff power, the crew of the DC-6 heard a loud noise and the takeoff was abandoned. A visual check before the plane stopped revealed that the no. 4 engine had separated from the wing. A fire erupted and spread after evacuation, destroying the aircraft. It appeared that the no. 4 propeller had failed and that the unbalanced loads on the engine mounts caused separation of the entire engine.
All crew and passengers survived but six dogs the cargo hold died in the accident.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by fatigue failure of No.1 blade of No.4 propeller. Laboratory findings showed that the failure was caused by previous blade bending resulting in the disruption of the compressive stresses in the shot peened area of the propeller blade."
Classification:
Rejected takeoffProp/turbine blade separation
Runway mishap
Sources:
» The Panama American June 23, 1959» FAA-Daily Mechanical Report no. D 150 (03.08.1959)
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 62-AN/57 (131)
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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