Narrative:
Cruising at FL100, the no. 1 engine caught fire. The fire extinguishing systems was activated and the prop was feathered. Somehow the prop didn't feather and began overspeeding. To prevent the Curtiss airplane from stalling, the pilot put the aircraft in a dive. After jettisoning some cargo, the plane was ditched and sank within 4 minutes.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Power plant fire and failure of the feathering system which led to critical flight conditions when the prop began windmilling. Factors were overloading of the aircraft by 1167kg. and the pilot's failure not being aware of the load to be carried on the flight.
Ditching
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 26 October 1973 |
| Time: | 18:50 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando |
| Operator: | Aerocosta Colombia |
| Registration: | HK-1383 |
| MSN: | 22522 |
| First flight: | 1945 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 34 km (21.3 mls) off Cartagena, Colombia [Caribbean Sea] ( Atlantic Ocean)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Barranquilla-Soledad Airport (BAQ/SKBQ), Colombia |
| San Andres Island-Sesquicentenario Airport (ADZ/SKSP), Colombia |
Cruising at FL100, the no. 1 engine caught fire. The fire extinguishing systems was activated and the prop was feathered. Somehow the prop didn't feather and began overspeeding. To prevent the Curtiss airplane from stalling, the pilot put the aircraft in a dive. After jettisoning some cargo, the plane was ditched and sank within 4 minutes.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: Power plant fire and failure of the feathering system which led to critical flight conditions when the prop began windmilling. Factors were overloading of the aircraft by 1167kg. and the pilot's failure not being aware of the load to be carried on the flight.
Classification:
Ditching
Sources:
» La Nación 28 October 1973, p28APhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Barranquilla-Soledad Airport to San Andres Island-Sesquicentenario Airport as the crow flies is 773 km (483 miles).
Distance from Barranquilla-Soledad Airport to San Andres Island-Sesquicentenario Airport as the crow flies is 773 km (483 miles).
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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