What happened
On March 26, 1952, a Braniff Airways Douglas DC-4 departed Colorado Springs, Colorado, bound for Oklahoma City via several intermediate stops. While flying near Hugoton, Kansas, at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet, the crew was alerted by a flight attendant that the right wing was on fire. The pilot observed a bright red reflection on the No. 4 engine nacelle, suggesting a significant fire, although the onboard fire-warning systems failed to activate.
In response to the emergency, the captain initiated an immediate descent toward a nearby small airfield. During the maneuver, the pilot throttled back the No. 3 engine and attempted to use the CO2 fire extinguisher. While the discharge of one bottle appeared to reduce the visible flames, the crew noted that the second bottle was not deployed. As the aircraft descended to roughly 200 to 300 feet, the plane experienced severe buffeting, which is believed to have occurred when the No. 3 engine detached from the airframe.
The aircraft touched down at the airfield with the landing gear extended, but the pilot encountered significant difficulties. The brakes failed to decelerate the plane effectively, and a steering malfunction prevented a controlled turn away from an adjacent road. The aircraft overran the airport perimeter, crossing a highway and traversing fences and a ditch before coming to a stop in a wheat field. All passengers and crew members evacuated the aircraft safely.
Findings
- An uncontrollable engine fire of undetermined origin forced the emergency landing.
- The onboard fire detection system failed to alert the crew to the danger.
- The loss of the No. 3 engine during the final stages of descent caused extreme instability.
- The chosen landing site was not properly equipped or sized for a Douglas DC-4.