Accident Douglas SC-54G (DC-4) N3373F, Tuesday 14 July 1981

Date:	Tuesday 14 July 1981
Time:	17:39
Type:	Douglas SC-54G (DC-4)
Owner/operator:	Aero Union
Registration:	N3373F
MSN:	36061
Year of manufacture:	1945
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	6 km S of Kenai Airport, AK (ENA) - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Kenai Airport, AK (ENA/PAEN)
Destination airport:	King Salmon Airport, AK (AKN/PAKN)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
While flying at 2000 feet, a catastrophic failure of the no. 2 cylinder caused a no. 1 engine fire. A massive fire of the outboard part of the left wing led to the separation of this part while returning to the airport.

PROBABLE CAUSE:
powerplant - engine structure: cylinder assembly
miscellaneous acts,conditions - material failure
powerplant - propeller and accessories: other
miscellaneous acts,conditions - overload failure
FACTORS:
miscellaneous acts,conditions - fire in engine
miscellaneous acts,conditions - fire in wing
miscellaneous acts,conditions - separation in flight
complete power loss - complete engine failure/flameout-1 engine

Accident investigation: