Emergency landing following engine fire near Cali-Palmaseca Airport

No fatalities • Cali, Colombia • Flight

An aircraft experienced a right engine failure and subsequent fire shortly after departing Cali-Palmaseca Airport, resulting in a crash landing in a nearby field.

What happened

At approximately midday, an aircraft departed from Cali-Palmaseca Airport. Shortly after the takeoff phase, while the plane was positioned over the Marmato beacon, the right engine experienced a mechanical failure. During this period, the engine caught fire, and the flight crew encountered difficulties attempting to feather the propeller.

Although the crew managed to suppress the fire and successfully feather the propeller after several seconds, the aircraft had already suffered a significant loss of altitude. Due to the diminished flight capabilities, the pilot initiated an emergency descent. The aircraft subsequently performed a crash landing in a field situated a few kilometers from the airport. While there were no injuries reported among the two pilots, the aircraft was destroyed and deemed beyond repair.

Findings

Investigations into the incident determined that the sequence of events was initiated by the detachment of an engine cowling during flight, which led to the failure of cylinder number five on the right-hand engine.

Probable cause

The engine failure and subsequent fire were caused by an engine cowling becoming detached in flight, resulting in the failure of the fifth cylinder.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1974-02-23 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Cali, Colombia?

An aircraft experienced a right engine failure and subsequent fire shortly after departing Cali-Palmaseca Airport, resulting in a crash landing in a nearby field.

Were there any fatalities in the 1974-02-23 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1974-02-23 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration HK-1333, operated by Taxi Aéreo El Llanero, at Cali, Colombia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure and subsequent fire were caused by an engine cowling becoming detached in flight, resulting in the failure of the fifth cylinder.

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