ASN Aircraft accident Douglas Super R4D-8 (DC-3S) N3906J Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, FL (FXE)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Monday 13 June 2005
Time:15:50
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC3S model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Douglas Super R4D-8 (DC-3S)
Operator:Air Pony Express
Registration: N3906J
MSN: 43344
First flight: 1943
Total airframe hrs:19623
Engines: 2 Wright R-1820-80A
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Total:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:5 km (3.1 mls) E of Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, FL (FXE) (   United States of America)
Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, FL (FXE/KFXE), United States of America
Destination airport:Marsh Harbour International Airport (MHH/MYAM), Bahamas
Narrative:
The DC-3 was transporting 3,200 pounds of granite to the Bahamas when it departed Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport at 15:50. At the time to call for gear up, about 400 feet above the ground, the captain noted a discrepancy with the left engine manifold pressure. As the landing gear was being retracted, he felt a slight hesitation and mild backfire with the left engine. Fuel and oil pressure for the left engine was normal. The engine then started to lose a substantial amount of oil. The left engine manifold pressure and rpm decreased and attempts were made to feather the prop. The prop would not feather and altitude could not be maintained. The pilot decided to put the airplane on the road. The airplane descended, contacting trees and a rooftop of a residential area. It crashed, skidding down Northeast 56th Street, before coming to rest near the intersection of Northeast 18th Avenue in the Coral Ridge Isles neighborhood. The aircraft was originally built as a Douglas R4D-5 (Navy derivative of the DC-3), msn 9859. It was later converted to Super R4D-8.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The inadequate maintenance inspection by company maintenance personnel/pilot and other maintenance personnel of the left engine resulting in a total failure of the master rod bearing, and nose case partial separation, which prevented the left propeller from feathering. This resulted in the airplane not able to maintain altitude and a subsequent forced landing in a residential area."

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: NTSB
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 2 years and 1 months
Accident number: MIA05FA123
Download report: Summary report

Classification:


Forced landing outside airport

Sources:
» NTSB


Photos

photo of Douglas-Super-R4D-8-N3906J
accident date: 13-06-2005
type: Douglas Super R4D-8
registration: N3906J
photo of Douglas-Super-R4D-8-N3906J
accident date: 13-06-2005
type: Douglas Super R4D-8
registration: N3906J
 

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 Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, FL to Marsh Harbour International Airport as the crow flies is 308 km (192 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.

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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