Crash of a Douglas C-54D-DC Skymaster in Fairbanks: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 2024 at 1001 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
N3054V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
10547
YOM:
1945
Location:
Fairbanks
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 20R at Fairbanks Airport, the airplane climbed to the altitude of about 1,700 feet when it rolled to the left. It entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed in a huge explosion on the south bank of the Tanana River. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both crew members were killed. The accident occurred about six minutes after takeoff, apparently following the explosion of one of both left engines.

Ground accident of a Douglas C-54G Skymaster in San Juan

Date & Time: Mar 22, 2012 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Jet One Express
Registration:
N406WA
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Christiansted – San Juan
MSN:
35944
YOM:
1945
Location:
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful cargo flight from Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, the crew completed the landing normally at San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marin Airport. While taxiing to the ramp, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
No investigations were conducted by the NTSB.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-DC Skymaster near Nenana

Date & Time: Jan 17, 2007 at 1550 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
N82FA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Nixon Fork Mine
MSN:
35960
YOM:
1945
Location:
Nenana
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2750
Captain / Total hours on type:
1550.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
796
Copilot / Total hours on type:
61
Aircraft flight hours:
28933
Circumstances:
The flight crew was delivering a cargo of fuel in the four-engine airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 125, when the airplane lost power in the number 2 engine. The captain elected to shut the engine down and return to the airport. He said during the shutdown procedure, the engine caught fire, and that the fire extinguishing system was activated. The crew thought the fire was out, but it erupted again, and the captain elected to land the airplane gear-up on the snow covered tundra. Once on the ground, the left wing was consumed by fire. An inspection by company maintenance personnel revealed that an overhauled engine cylinder had failed at its base, resulting in a fire. The airplane was not examined by the NTSB due to its remote location.
Probable cause:
The failure of an engine cylinder during cruise flight, which resulted in an in-flight fire, and subsequent emergency gear-up landing on snow-covered tundra. A factor in the accident was the failure of the fire suppression equipment to extinguish the fire.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Douglas C-54 Skymaster