Sad Old Bird
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Sad Old Bird
Just recently came across this sad sight on a recent visit to Ganes Creek, Alaska.
Apparently she suffered an explosion in an empty fuel tank on start-up prior to take off from the dirt strip in the background having delivered supplies to a mining camp this spring. The blast blew off the outer left engine and wing. She was towed by a D-9 cat still in flames off the runway to where she now sits. Saw photos of the towing. Sad end to the old bird.
Apparently she suffered an explosion in an empty fuel tank on start-up prior to take off from the dirt strip in the background having delivered supplies to a mining camp this spring. The blast blew off the outer left engine and wing. She was towed by a D-9 cat still in flames off the runway to where she now sits. Saw photos of the towing. Sad end to the old bird.
Last edited by eko4me; 31st Aug 2006 at 19:20. Reason: isp change
NTSB Identification: ANC04LA052
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 07, 2004 in McGrath, AK
Aircraft: Douglas C-54B, registration: N44911
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On May 7, 2004, about 2130 Alaska daylight time, a Douglas C-54B airplane, N44911, sustained substantial damage when an explosion occurred in the left wing during engine start at the Ganes Creek Mine airstrip, about 25 miles west of McGrath, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Brooks Fuel Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska. The captain and first officer, both airline transport certificated pilots, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The intended destination was Fairbanks.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on May 8, the vice president of Brooks Fuel Inc., reported that the crew was beginning engine start procedures and successfully started engines number 4,3, and 2 in succession. As the crew started engine number 1, an explosion occurred in the wing area between engines 1 and 2. Engine 1 and the remaining outboard section of the left wing separated from the rest of the wing. The crew applied engine power in the remaining engines and taxied away from the area of the explosion. The crew then stopped about mid-field and disembarked the airplane.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 07, 2004 in McGrath, AK
Aircraft: Douglas C-54B, registration: N44911
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On May 7, 2004, about 2130 Alaska daylight time, a Douglas C-54B airplane, N44911, sustained substantial damage when an explosion occurred in the left wing during engine start at the Ganes Creek Mine airstrip, about 25 miles west of McGrath, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Brooks Fuel Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska. The captain and first officer, both airline transport certificated pilots, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The intended destination was Fairbanks.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on May 8, the vice president of Brooks Fuel Inc., reported that the crew was beginning engine start procedures and successfully started engines number 4,3, and 2 in succession. As the crew started engine number 1, an explosion occurred in the wing area between engines 1 and 2. Engine 1 and the remaining outboard section of the left wing separated from the rest of the wing. The crew applied engine power in the remaining engines and taxied away from the area of the explosion. The crew then stopped about mid-field and disembarked the airplane.
