On July 23, 1969, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration N9800H) operated by American Aviation (1970) was involved in an aviation accident near Jackson-Reynolds Field, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An unidentified cause led to a fire in the right engine during the initial climb phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft performing a local test flight experienced an engine fire shortly after liftoff, resulting in an emergency landing in a nearby swamp.
What happened
A local test flight intended to verify radio systems ended in an emergency landing following a mechanical failure. The pilot departed from Jackson-Reynolds Airport to conduct routine checks of the onboard communication equipment.
During the initial climb phase, immediately after leaving the runway, the right engine of the aircraft ignited. In response to the fire, the pilot performed an emergency wheels-up landing in a swampy area located close to the departure airport. The impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair. The pilot sustained slight injuries during the incident.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in the accident was that the right engine caught fire during the takeoff sequence, though the specific origin of the fire remains undetermined.
Probable cause
An unidentified cause led to a fire in the right engine during the initial climb phase.