Zone

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF off Biorka Island

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1962 at 1252 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N285
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
McChord – Elmendorf
MSN:
45204
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
NW293
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
95
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15772
Captain / Total hours on type:
1579.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12579
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1925
Aircraft flight hours:
17175
Circumstances:
A Northwest Airlines DC-7CF, N285, was ditched near Biorka Island, Sitka Sound, Alaska, on October 22, 1962, about 2052 G.m.t. All 95 passengers and 7 crew members successfully evacuated and were quickly rescued. No serious injuries were reported. The flight was operating as Military Air Transport Charter Flight No. 293 en route from McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington, to Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet No. 2 engine lost power. Remedial measures failed, the propeller oversped and the engine seized. Attempts at feathering failed and the flight radioed a declaration of emergency and started descent toward Sitka Sound, Alaska. Other futile attempts were made to feather as the No. 2 engine became dangerously hot and shed parts. The captain elected to ditch. Passengers were moved aft and away from the plane of rotation of No. 2 propeller, crew members issued ditching instructions, and occupants and flotation gear were readied. The aircraft was put down skillfully under favorable conditions of weather and sea during daylight, and all occupants were quickly in liferafts. Previously alerted marine craft were nearby and took all hands aboard. Amphibious rescue aircraft were also close by. The aircraft sank in water 250 feet deep in about 24 minutes.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was an uncontrollable overspeeding propeller due to failure in the blower section of No. 2 engine.
Final Report: