DC-3 "Crash" Yellowknife

[Axial Flow]

No details except no injuries via CBCNORTH

[Dh8Classic]

Dear Mr. TSB,

Are you going to actually investigate this one or just label it as another class 5(no investigation required) like the two DC-4 crashes because there is nothing to learn(or maybe a bit too costly to do so).

Thanks,

The Public

[EA757]

DC-3 plane makes hard landing at Yellowknife airport
No injuries reported on Hay River-bound flight
CBC News
Posted: Aug 19, 2013 7:43 PM CT
Last Updated: Aug 19, 2013 8:19 PM CT


A Buffalo Airways DC-3 made a hard landing Monday at the Yellowknife airport.

The plane was taking off from Yellowknife bound for Hay River, N.W.T., when passengers reported the plane's right engine caught fire shortly after it was in the air, said CBC reporter Richard Gleeson.

"One lady said she smelled something even before the take-off," he said.

The plane circled back to return to the Yellowknife airport, clipped some trees and just missed some power lines before it made a hard landing on its belly, passengers said.

Gleeson said there were 16 to 18 passengers on the plane, adding that transport officials said there were no injuries.

Passengers have been told their bags will remain on the plane overnight as part of an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board.

TSB investigators expected to arrive Tuesday.

The airline says it will bring in another plane for passengers who want to continue on to Hay River.

[magic wand]

OH No Doc,
Another gear up landing!

"The plane circled back to return to the Yellowknife airport, clipped some trees and just missed some power lines before it made a hard landing on its belly, passengers said."

[Doc]

Personally, I think it's high time to retire the steam Racer as a pax carrying aircraft. I wouldn't consider allowing a family member of mine travel on one within a commercial, fare paying operation. We have so many safeguards in place to protect passengers industry wide, and we "grandfather" these clap traps around all the rules and regulations governing modern aircraft. Park the bloody things. already!
Nobody died. This time. But when we have an aircraft clipping trees, so obviously unable to maintain altitude on one engine, something that should have been a non issue (would have been a non issue on any modern aircraft used for skids) for a DC3 loaded within it's limitations, and flown properly, something should really be considered. Perhaps it's time to leave the Jurassic?
Now, before you flame me (and you will) please consider the fact that I have over 6000 hours on the things, with more than 20 flights ending with one feathered. It's time has come.

[Doc]

OH No Doc,
Another gear up landing!

"The plane circled back to return to the Yellowknife airport, clipped some trees and just missed some power lines before it made a hard landing on its belly, passengers said."

If you flew at all, smart guy, you'd know that gear causes drag. Sounds like they were lucky to make it back to the airport at all. This is one of the times you would leave the gear UP. If you had ANY time in a 3 you would know that, The gear comes down LAST.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

I agree with Doc the time has come to retire the piston engine DC3 from 705 operations.

I don't have as much time on the 3 as Doc has (I only have 5000 hours on them. ) but he is correct even with the gear up they can be a handfu to keep in the air on one if the speed is allowed to decay.

Getting back to the airport to land is paramount and the last thing I would worry about is putting the gear down.

[Old fella]

"........and we "grandfather" these clap traps around all the rules and regulations governing modern aircraft."

One of the better quotes I heard in a while and true as well

[Justjohn]

Looks like they barely made it inside the airport fence. And the Airbus on the roll out ? Why, that is the Prime Minister arriving in town ... so there are plenty of press around.

[AEROMONKEY]

i wonder if they had a tv crew with them?

[bmc]

Anyone know the registration?

[bigsky]

If the facts are as reported, an engine fire right after take-off, a big "job well done" to the crew.
The outcome could have been much worse.

[pelmet]

Personally, I think it's high time to retire the steam Racer as a pax carrying aircraft. I wouldn't consider allowing a family member of mine travel on one within a commercial, fare paying operation. We have so many safeguards in place to protect passengers industry wide, and we "grandfather" these clap traps around all the rules and regulations governing modern aircraft. Park the bloody things. already!
Nobody died. This time. But when we have an aircraft clipping trees, so obviously unable to maintain altitude on one engine, something that should have been a non issue (would have been a non issue on any modern aircraft used for skids) for a DC3 loaded within it's limitations, and flown properly, something should really be considered. Perhaps it's time to leave the Jurassic?
Now, before you flame me (and you will) please consider the fact that I have over 6000 hours on the things, with more than 20 flights ending with one feathered. It's time has come.

I have a similar shutdown rate on one particular turbine aircraft that is much more modern although more than 50% were precautionary shutdowns.

Edited in response to below - The DC-3 operation in YZF seems to have had a good record up to now.

[CamAero]

Anyone know the registration?

It was WIR.

[bizjets101]

Hmmm, and Harper's ex Wardair Airbus in the background >>>

[Siddley Hawker]

Actually, if you don't mind sacrificing the props and probably the engines, the DC-3 can be bellied in with little or no damage to the airframe.

[Rowdy]

So get rid of all 705 DC-3's eh? What about the beautifully refit basler conversions with the PT6's on em?

While we're at it, there seem to have been a lot of king air 100 crashes ion the last two years as well. Make them into pop cans too! Same with those pesky 172s. Always crashing. Old design. Crush them as well..

[Doc]

So get rid of all 705 DC-3's eh? What about the beautifully refit basler conversions with the PT6's on em?

While we're at it, there seem to have been a lot of king air 100 crashes ion the last two years as well. Make them into pop cans too! Same with those pesky 172s. Always crashing. Old design. Crush them as well..

Rowdy....read it again sport. Get rid of "steam" powered. i.e. "piston" powered DC3's mate. The BT67's are a different fish in the pond altogether.

[MUSKEG]

Hey if Harper was there then this was probably his fault too. Come on media, should be a tie in there somewhere

[Heliian]

.todays 2 engine ac must be able to climb out fully loaded on 1 eng maintain and come back for a none event landing.almost all thise twin engine radial a/c cant do this and today just proved that.

I wish that was the case but you'll see that not a lot of small twins can do that.

An engine fire and shutdown during the most critical stage and they made it back with no injuries, good work by the pilot(s)

[Doc]

.todays 2 engine ac must be able to climb out fully loaded on 1 eng maintain and come back for a none event landing.almost all thise twin engine radial a/c cant do this and today just proved that.

I wish that was the case but you'll see that not a lot of small twins can do that.

)

I think you need to think a little more modern than most light twins. Who still even makes light twins? Beech still has the Baron. Don't think Cessna is in the game any more. Piper? Don't know. Anybody? Who makes light piston twins? Six or less seats, suitable for training? I do know a Baron will fly one one. A least the old ones would, have to assume the new ones will? The old Aztec would. A 310 and Twin Comanche, properly flown will (sort of). The Apache....well, only in a dream. Flew a Seneca I once. Horrid piece of crap! Had it's problems maintaining on TWO!

[Finn47]

Piper is still selling Seminoles and Seneca V´s.

[CFR]

I seem to recall that the Seneca II's single engine service ceiling was something around 6000 ft!

['97 Tercel]

Engine fire on rotation in a DC-3 and not even an injury.....seem like a job well done.

I wonder how they'll try and spin this into "pilot error"?

[klimman123]

The crew did an amazing job. I am really glad there was a positive outcome, especially today. However, I do take issue with Bufalo's overall operation. Joe runs it like a Russian circus. I hope transport can help him bring his operation from a 50's mentality to at least the 80's.