Spokane - Portland

Shortly after takeoff, the copilot reported that the flight was returning with the right engine shut down. Seconds later, the tower controller saw a fire. The airplane collided with level terrain, 3,450 feet from the end of runway 21 in a 75° to 80° nose down attitude. The right engine propeller was found in the feathered position. The left engine indicated evidence that it was producing power at the time of impact. A fatigue crack was found that separated the head from the barrel on the number eight cylinder of the right engine. No other evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. Both pilots were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Spokane - Portland

Aircraft

Douglas DC-3

Registration

N3433Y

MSN

43089

Year of Manufacture

1947

Operator

Salair

Date

March 18, 1994 at 01:56 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Spokane-Intl Washington

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

47.6200°, -117.5424°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On March 18, 1994 at 01:56 AM, Spokane - Portland experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-3, operated by Salair, with the event recorded near Spokane-Intl Washington.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff, the copilot reported that the flight was returning with the right engine shut down. Seconds later, the tower controller saw a fire. The airplane collided with level terrain, 3,450 feet from the end of runway 21 in a 75° to 80° nose down attitude. The right engine propeller was found in the feathered position. The left engine indicated evidence that it was producing power at the time of impact. A fatigue crack was found that separated the head from the barrel on the number eight cylinder of the right engine. No other evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. Both pilots were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N3433Y, MSN 43089, year of manufacture 1947.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 47.6200°, -117.5424°.

Fatalities

Total

2

Crew

2

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after takeoff, the copilot reported that the flight was returning with the right engine shut down. Seconds later, the tower controller saw a fire. The airplane collided with level terrain, 3,450 feet from the end of runway 21 in a 75° to 80° nose down attitude. The right engine propeller was found in the feathered position. The left engine indicated evidence that it was producing power at the time of impact. A fatigue crack was found that separated the head from the barrel on the number eight cylinder of the right engine. No other evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. Both pilots were killed.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 2

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Spokane - Portland

Operator

Salair

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Douglas DC-3

Registration

N3433Y

MSN

43089

Year of Manufacture

1947