Douglas DC-6 crash, Jul 20, 1996 (4 killed), Russian Mission
Douglas DC-6 accident on July 20, 1996 near Russian Mission, Alaska, United States with 4 fatalities. Cause: Fatigue failure of the number 3 engine...
- Date: July 20, 1996
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-6
- Location: Russian Mission, Alaska, United States
- Fatalities: 4
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Fatigue failure of the number 3 engine master connecting rod, caused by corrosion pitting, which breached the crankcase and started a fire. The crew also failed to follow the required emergency sequence by feathering the propeller before activating the fire suppression, reducing its effectiveness.
A Northern Air Cargo DC-6A on a cargo flight from Emmonak to Aniak caught fire in the number 3 engine. The crew pulled the fire handle before feathering the propeller, and the fire was not extinguished. The aircraft's right wing folded during an approach to Russian Mission and it crashed short of the runway, killing all four people on board.