On July 22, 1992, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration N41755) operated by Woods Air Service - Woods Air Fuel was involved in an aviation accident near McGrath, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fire in the engine accessory drive assembly. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A pilot noticed a fire smell during cruise, then engine power loss. The pilot performed a forced landing on a gravel bar and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher and dirt. The aircraft has not been recovered and the engine has not been examined.
Incident Details
During cruise flight, the pilot detected a slight fire smell. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to lose power gradually and did not respond to throttle inputs.
Landing and Fire Suppression
The pilot executed a forced landing on a gravel bar. After touchdown, the pilot extinguished the fire in the engine accessory case using a fire extinguisher and dirt.
Post-Incident Status
The airplane has not been recovered, and the engine has not been examined.
Probable Cause
Official findings state the probable cause was a fire in the engine accessory drive assembly. A contributing factor was the rough and uneven forced landing area.