DC-3 Ditching After Takeoff from Sydney (VH-EDC)

Background and Flight Details A Douglas DC-3 owned and operated by South Pacific Airmotive Pty Ltd, based at Camden, New South Wales, was being used for commercial operations under an Air Operators Certificate held by Groupair, based at Moorabbin, Victoria. The aircraft had been chartered to transport college students and their band equipment from Sydney to Norfolk Island for Anzac Day celebrations. A flight plan filed by the pilot in command called for a departure from Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport at 0900, with an intermediate refueling stop at Lord Howe Island, and intended operation under instrument flight rules. The aircraft carried 21 passengers and was crewed by two pilots, a supernumerary pilot, and a flight attendant. ## Takeoff and Engine Malfunction Departure preparations were completed shortly before 0900, and the aircraft was cleared to taxi for runway 16 via taxiway Bravo Three. The pilot in command occupied the left seat, while the co-pilot handled the departure. Takeoff clearance was issued at 0907:53. The crew reported normal engine indications during the takeoff roll and stated that the aircraft became airborne at 81 knots. During the initial climb, at approximately 200 feet with flaps retracted and landing gear retracting, the crew heard a series of popping sounds above the engine noise. The aircraft then began yawing left. At 0909:04, the pilot in command informed tower that the aircraft had a problem. The co-pilot identified the left engine as malfunctioning. The crew recalled that airspeed had increased to at least 100 knots at that time. ## Response and Ditching After confirming the left engine malfunction, the pilot in command closed the left throttle and initiated propeller feathering while maintaining full power on the right engine, reported as 48 inches Hg and 2,700 RPM. Airspeed then began to decrease. The handling pilot said he attempted to maintain 81 knots indicated airspeed but was unable to do so. The aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline. The co-pilot and supernumerary pilot reported using almost full right aileron to control the aircraft, and the co-pilot reported applying full or near-full right rudder. The pilot in command initially assessed that a return landing might have been possible and that the aircraft could climb safely on one engine. However, when the aircraft failed to climb and airspeed fell below 81 knots, he took control and advised tower at 0909:38 that he was ditching the aircraft. He maneuvered the aircraft as close as possible to the southern end of the partially constructed runway 16L. The aircraft was ditched approximately 46 seconds after the initial problem report. ## Evacuation and Injuries All four crew members and 21 passengers successfully evacuated before the aircraft sank. They were taken aboard pleasure craft and transferred to shore. After initial assessment, they were transported to various hospitals. All were discharged by 1430 that afternoon, except the flight attendant, who suffered serious injuries.