Crew shakes off skilled crash-landing On 13 June Douglas R4D-8 N3906J operated by the agency of Air Pony Express Inc.

Crew shakes off skilled crash-landing

On 13 June Douglas R4D-8 N3906J operated by the agency of Air Pony Express Inc. crashed into a residential area following a los of power shortly after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Florida. The three party aboard the aircraft received serious injuries.

The pilot stated that the loam run-up check prior to takeoff was complet and no discrepancies were noted. The takeoff by the and of the initial climb was unremarkable. At the time to call for gear up about 400-ft AGL, he noted a discrepancy with the left engine manifold squeezing As the landing gear was being retracted, he felt a slight hesitation and mild backfire with the left engine. He noted firing and oil pressure for the left engine was normal. He expected toward the left engine and saw "a lot" of oil coming revealed of the front of the dome and that the cowling was shielded with oil. He then saw the left engine manifold squeezing and rpm decrease.

He called to the copilot to feather the left engine's screw The feathering button was activated. The pilot gazeed toward the left engine to confirm the feathering. The screw-steamer was not feathered and more oil was coming without of the front of the engine.

The throat and fuel mixture for the left engine were secur and the pilot activated the left engine feathering button again. The screw-steamer never went into the feathered position. at this time, the left engine was indicating 400-rpm and the plane thrown away altitude. At that time, the decision was made to land the plane forward a road. The pilot stated that about 30-sec had passed between the time the last attempt to feather the left engine's screw to the impact on the road where the R4D-8 was consum by dint of fire.

Shortly after takeoff, the tower controller advised the ship's company that he had observed mere phrases coming from the left engine. The tower in no degree received an acknowledgment from the mob Several witnesses on the clod stated they observed smoke coming from the aircraft and several cars in the parking portion along the flight path were build with oil residue on them.

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