Lumberton | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The right engine failed during takeoff immediately after rotation 3,000 feet down the 7,002 feet runway 16. The pilot continued the flight and the landing gear remained extended. The unauthorized pilot rated passenger made transmissions to the tower. Witnesses reported that the aircraft reached approximately 150 feet then descended into trees 20° to the right of runway centerline and 3,000 feet south of the airport. The pre-1979 3rd stage stator assembly in the right engine did not have the latest manufacture welding process/inspection and failed causing the uncontained turbine failure. Instruments in the wreckage indicated that an undeterminable loss of electrical power occurred at the time of engine failure. Performance data indicated that a safe landing could have been made on the remaining runway past the point of engine failure. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (f) turbine assembly, nozzle retention - inadequate
2. (f) acft/equip, inadequate design - manufacturer
3. (f) turbine assembly, turbine wheel - burst
4. (f) electrical system - undetermined
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Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
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Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
5. (f) object - tree(s)
6. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
7. (f) pressure induced by others - pilot in command
8. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
9. (c) all available runway - not used - pilot in command
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Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
10. Terrain condition - ground

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL in Lumberton

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Trans Caribbean Air Cargo Line

Registration:

N50040

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

19980

YOM:

1944

Location:

Lumberton

North Carolina

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft landed fast and long. After touchdown, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest in a marshy area. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

It appears that the crew adopted a wrong approach configuration. The pilot continued the approach at a too high speed and well above the glide path. This caused the aircraft to land too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. Investigations confirmed that the touchdown came 3,184 feet past the runway threshold on this runway which is 5,000 feet long. In such conditions, the crew should abandon the landing procedure for a go around. Poor visibility was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL near Mackall AFB: 12 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1944 at 1940 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-23783

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lumberton - Lumberton

MSN:

9645

YOM:

1943

Location:

Mackall AAF

North Carolina

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed some 5 miles W of AAF Camp Mackall Field, while on a night parachute drop exercise. The airplane was part of a six-ship formation that had departed Lumberton AAF on a night time parachute drop. The aircraft were flying in a V of V's formation dropping parachute supply bundles near Camp MacKall. The aircraft collided with the parachute bundle dropped from a preceding airplane. The bundle hit the control surface of the right hand wing. The airplane rolled out of control and entered a spin. The pilot could not recover from the spin and the airplane crashed and burned.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com

Probable cause:

In flight collision with a parachute bundle.