Emergency landing of cargo aircraft at Congo Town Airport

No fatalities • Congo Town, Bahamas • Landing (descent or approach)

A cargo flight in the Caribbean required an emergency diversion following engine failure, resulting in a runway overrun and significant aircraft damage.

What happened

During a scheduled cargo operation within the Caribbean region, the crew encountered an engine failure while in flight. Suspecting that the loss of power was due to fuel exhaustion, the flight crew initiated an emergency diversion toward Congo Town Airport.

Upon reaching the destination, the aircraft type (unspecified) attempted an emergency landing. However, following touchdown, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently within the available runway length. The plane subsequently overran the runway and came to a stop. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, all three crew members were able to evacuate the wreckage without any injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the incident revealed that the engine failure was not caused by actual fuel exhaustion as the crew had initially believed. Instead, the investigation concluded that a failure of a fuel valve occurred during the flight. This mechanical malfunction redirected fuel into a tank that was not being utilized by the crew, leading to the loss of power.

Probable cause

A malfunctioning fuel valve caused fuel to be diverted into an unused tank, resulting in engine failure.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1986-11-17 Douglas DC-6 accident near Congo Town, Bahamas?

A cargo flight in the Caribbean required an emergency diversion following engine failure, resulting in a runway overrun and significant aircraft damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 1986-11-17 Douglas DC-6 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1986-11-17 involved a Douglas DC-6, registration HI-251, operated by Carga Aérea Dominicana, at Congo Town, Bahamas.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A malfunctioning fuel valve caused fuel to be diverted into an unused tank, resulting in engine failure.

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