Status:	Final
Date:	Wednesday 21 August 1946
Time:	04:19
Type:	Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
Operator:	Trans-Luxury Airlines
Registration:	NC51878
C/n / msn:	4542
First flight:	1942
Total airframe hrs:	4121
Engines:	2 Wright R-1820-92
Crew:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 22
Total:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 25
Aircraft damage:	Damaged beyond repair
Location:	near Moline, IL (   United States of America)
Phase:	En route (ENR)
Nature:	Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	Chicago (unknown airport), IL, United States of America
Destination airport:	Omaha-Eppley Airfield, NE (OMA/KOMA), United States of America

Narrative:
A no. 1 engine oil leak was inspected by a mechanic prior to the next flight. The flight departed Chicago at 03:03, The flight was continued under instrument flight rules and was cleared to cruise at 4,000 feet via airway Green 3 to the Omaha Airport. At approximately 04:00, within about 35 miles of Moline, a flash of fire was observed at the left engine. The propeller was feathered and a descent initiated for a nearby airport. The aircraft overshot the landing on runway 22, so the pilot executed a go around. A left turn was flown with gear and flaps extended. The left wing touched the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled. The engine failure was caused by a no. 5 cylinder fracture.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The faulty execution of an emergency single engine approach following failure of the left engine in flight. A contributing factor was the failure of the pilot to exercise sufficient caution by having, a qualified mechanic determine the reasons for oil leakage in the left engine prior to departure from Chicago."

» Air Britain Casualty compendium (pt. 43)
» CAB File No. 2254-46