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Fire Fighting Aircraft Crash Lands After Loss of Power on Four Engines (N9324Z)

Tucson, United States of AmericaFlight

On July 12, 1971, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration N9324Z) operated by Aero Union was involved in an aviation accident near Tucson, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the fuel system and ram air assembly. The following factors were reported: - Partial loss of power on four engines, - Forced landing off airport on land, - Baffle in air intake scoop separated from n°4 engine, restricting airflow to carburettor 1,… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive (1962-1981)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

While on a fire fighting mission near Tucson, Arizona, the crew experienced a loss of power on all four engines and crash landed. Both pilots were uninjured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview

During a fire fighting mission in the region of Tucson, Arizona, the crew was operating at low altitude when they noticed a loss of power on all four engines. An emergency landing was attempted, but the aircraft crash landed in an uninhabited area and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured, while the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Probable Cause and Factors

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a failure of the fuel system and ram air assembly. The following factors were reported:

  • Partial loss of power on four engines.
  • Forced landing off airport on land.
  • The baffle in the air intake scoop separated from engine number 4, restricting airflow to carburetors 1, 2, and 3, causing the propellers to move to high pitch.
Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Jul 1971 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident near Tucson, United States of America?

While on a fire fighting mission near Tucson, Arizona, the crew experienced a loss of power on all four engines and crash landed. Both pilots were uninjured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Jul 1971 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Jul 1971 involved a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, registration N9324Z, operated by Aero Union, at Tucson, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the fuel system and ram air assembly. The following factors were reported: - Partial loss of power on four engines, - Forced landing off airport on land, - Baffle in air intake scoop separated from n°4 engine, restricting airflow to carburettor 1, 2 and 3 propellers that moved to high pitch.

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