DC3, vicinity Yellowknife Canada, 2013

DC3, vicinity Yellowknife Canada, 2013

Summary

On 19 August 2013, a fire occurred in the right engine of a Douglas DC3-C on take off from Yellowknife. After engine shutdown, a right hand circuit was made in an attempt to land back on another runway but trees were struck and the aircraft crash-landed south of it. Emergency evacuation was successful. The Investigation found that a pre-existing cylinder fatigue crack had caused the engine failure/fire and that the propeller feathering pump had malfunctioned. It was found that an overweight take off had occurred and that various unsafe practices had persisted despite the regulatory approval of the Operator's SMS.

Description

On 4 November 2013, a Douglas DC3-C (C-GWIR) being operated by Buffalo Airways on a scheduled passenger flight from Yellowknife to Hay River as BFL168 had just taken off in day VMC when the right engine caught fire. The crew shut down the engine and attempted to return to the aerodrome but the aircraft struck trees and crash landed south of the intended landing runway. The fuselage of the aircraft was not seriously damaged by the impact and there was no fire. All 24 occupants were uninjured and completed a successful emergency evacuation.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian TSB. It was noted that the aircraft had not been fitted with either an FDR or a CVR nor were these required. It was noted that the aircraft Captain had approximately 13000 flying hours which included 4300 hours on the DC-3. The First Officer had approximately 500 hours of flight time including about 125 hours on the DC-3. The Captain was PF for the flight.

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