CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

Washington

January 12, 1954

TO:

Messrs. Gurney, Denny, Ryan, Lee, Adams, The Executive Director

FROM:

Director, Bureau of Safety Investigation

SUBJECT:

Fire in Flight - Regina Airlines Douglas DC-3, N 28392, near Aberdeen, South Dakota, January 11, 1954

On January 13, 1954, Regina Airlines, a non-scheduled air carrier, had a fire in the left engine that could not be extinguished in the air. An emergency landing was made at Aberdeen, South Dakota, at 0615C and the fire was extinguished on the ground. On board were 27 passengers and a crew of three consisting of Captain R. L. Lewis, First Officer A. D. Wilno, and Stewardess Rae Brady. No injures were sustained by those on board; however, there was considerable fire damage to the left engine and the nacelle area of the aircraft.

The flight had departed Watertown, South Dakota, at 0528C on a VFR flight to Miles City, Montana. The last radio contact was at 0605C when the pilot reported his position as five miles northwest of Aberdeen and fire in the left engine.

Existing weather conditions at Aberdeen, South Dakota, at 0628C were measured ceiling 1200 feet; broken clouds; visibility 10 miles.

Investigators Philip N. Goldstein and William s. MacNamara of the Board's Kansas City office are at the scene of the accident.

W. K. Andrews