Incident Overview
Braniff International Flight 971 was originally scheduled to depart New York for Miami on March 23, 1958, but due to equipment shortages and scheduling difficulties, that leg was not flown. Aircraft N 5904 was ferried from Dallas, Texas, to Miami, arriving at 1915 on March 24, to be used as Flight 971. The aircraft was serviced and prepared for the trip to Panama City, Panama, the first scheduled stop on the route to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Crew and Departure
The crew consisted of Captain Thomas D. George, First Officer John C. Winthrop, Jr., Second Officer Charles F. Fink, Steward Alberto Zapatero, and Stewardess Madelon Campion. The flight departed the Miami terminal at 2356, taxied to runway 27R, where an engine runup was performed, followed by a normal takeoff.
Engine Fire and Descent
Shortly after takeoff, in accordance with tower clearance, a climbing right turn was initiated. During the turn, the No. 3 engine malfunctioned and a fire developed in that area. The airplane, still in a right turn, began to lose altitude rapidly. While traveling in a north-northeasterly direction, it struck an open marsh containing scattered trees and underbrush.
Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations were immediately initiated but were seriously hampered by heavy ground traffic from sightseers attracted to the area. Several passengers and crew members were airlifted by U.S. Coast Guard helicopters directly to hospital grounds in Miami, while others were taken to nearby ambulances and transported to hospitals.
Official Findings
The Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the captain to maintain altitude during an emergency return to the airport due to his undue preoccupation with an engine fire following takeoff. The following findings were reported:
- Weather was not a factor in the accident.
- The flight was properly planned and dispatched.
- Smoke from the No. 3 engine on the prior flight was reported to the ferry crew by the Miami tower, and the crew should have written up this item in the aircraft log.
- Shortly after a routine takeoff, the No. 11 cylinder of the No. 3 engine failed, resulting in a fire in flight.
- Emergency measures (i.e., propeller feathering, extinguisher, fuel shutoff) were promptly taken by the crew.
- Full power was available from the other three engines, and there was no impairment of structure or control of the airplane.
- The captain made a decision to return to the airport and, in attempting to do so, altitude was not maintained and the aircraft struck the ground.