NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 15, 2001, at 2130 eastern standard time, a DC-3, N842MB, experienced an in-flight engine fire, and made a forced landing at Donalsonville Municipal Airport, Georgia, following the separation of the right engine assembly from the airframe. The cargo flight was operated by Jim Hankins Air Service, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135, with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage, and the pilot and co-pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Panama City, Florida, at 1950.

According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 5000 feet, he heard a loud "Bang". The pilot then stated that he saw a reflection of fire on his left engine nacelle. The co-pilot stated that they had an engine fire on the right engine. The pilot commenced engine shut down procedures. When the pilot attempted to feather the propeller, the propeller did not feather. When the pilot pulled the extinguishing agent for the right engine, the engine separated from the aircraft. The airplane then lost hydraulic pressure. The pilot established visual contact with Donalsonville Municipal Airport, and made an emergency landing on runway 18 without further incident.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held an airline transport certificate with airplane single and multi-engine land, instrument ratings. His total flight time was 6000 hours, with 700 hours in the DC-3. The pilot held a current first class medical certificate, dated July 25, 2000, with no waivers or limitations.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The DC-3, N842MB, was owned and operated by Jim Hawkins Air Service Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi. N842MB was a low-wing airplane powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1530-90D, 1200 horsepower engines. A review of the airplanes maintenance logbooks showed the last maintenance inspection was completed on March 1, 2001.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Albany weather observation reported 10 statute miles visibility, wind 230 at 12 knots, temperature 24, dew point 7, and the sky was clear.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Donalsonville Municipal Airport has one paved runway: 18/36. At the time of the accident, runway 18 was used for the forced landing.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the airplane revealed the right engine and nacelle separated forward from the leading edge of the right wing. Evidence of fire damage was found on the trailing edge of the wing and landing gear. The right engine was found 10 miles southwest of Donalsonville Municipal Airport, in the backyard of a farmer's home.

The engine examination also showed that No. 12 cylinder had failed and separated from the main case, and the No. 12 connecting rod was bent and fractured at the piston pin. Evidence of oil from the No. 12 cylinder was found across engine and exhaust systems, and evidence of fire was observed along the trail of engine oil. Further examination revealed Nos.7, 8 and 9 cylinders had also separated from the engine case. The engine had seized, and efforts to rotate the engine during the post accident examination failed. The review of the engine maintenance logs showed that the right engine was approximately 506 hours out of the last overhaul.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The airplane wreckage was released on May 08, 2001 to Bill Blankenship, insurance adjuster, Ormond Beach, Florida.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure and separation of No.12 cylinder from the engine case that resulted in an in-flight oil fed fire; and the subsequent separation of the right engine from airframe.