Aerolineas Comerciales Nacionales - ALCON | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from San Juan Airport, the crew informed ground that the engine n°4 caught fire and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Following a normal approach, the airplane landed properly but after a course of 950 meters, it went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Fire on engine n°4 during initial climb for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Trinidad

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-7

Operator:

Aerolineas Comerciales Nacionales - ALCON

Registration:

CP-1048

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:

45453/958

YOM:

1958

Location:

Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz

Beni

Country:

Bolivia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a normal landing at Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport, the crew completed a 180 turn followed by a backtrack procedure to join the apron. Doing so, the visibility was reduced by dust which had been raised during the engine reverse operation. The crew failed to realize the aircraft departed the runway to the right when the right wing struck two parked tractors. Fuel tanks were punctured and a fire broke out. The crew immediately stopped the airplane and all 33 occupants evacuated the cabin. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.