Douglas DC3C accident near Kidron, Ohio, January 21, 2019
On January 21, 2019 at about 2:12 pm local time, a 1942 Douglas DC3C, registered N467KS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kidron, Ohio (Stoltzfus Airfield). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of airplane control after an engine flameout and auto-feather system interruption during the takeoff climb, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 21, 2019 · about 2:12 pm local time
- Place
- Kidron, Ohio · Stoltzfus Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Douglas DC3C, built 1942 · all DC3Cs on the register
- Registration
- N467KS · no longer on the register · serial 20175
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two pilots departed in a turbine powered DC-3C at maximum gross weight for a repositioning flight. The airplane was part of a test program for new, higher horsepower engine installation. Soon after liftoff and about 3 seconds after decision speed (V1), the left engine lost total power. The propeller began to auto-feather but stopped feathering about 3 seconds after the power loss. The airplane yawed and banked to the left, descended, and impacted terrain. Recorded engine data indicated the power loss was due to an engine flameout; however, examination of the engine did not determine a reason for the flameout or the auto-feather system interruption. While it is plausible that an air pocket developed in the fuel system during the refueling just before the flight, this scenario was not able to be tested or confirmed. It is possible that the auto-feather system interruption would have occurred if the left power lever was manually retarded during the auto-feather sequence. The power loss and auto-feather system interruption occurred during a critical, time-sensitive phase of flight since the airplane was at low altitude and below minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc). The acutely transitional phase of flight would have challenged the pilots' ability to manually feather the propeller quickly and accurately. The time available for the crew to respond to the unexpected event was likely less than needed to recognize the problem and take this necessary action – even as an immediate action checklist/memory item.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- 350340 during loss of engine power
- 350240 during loss of engine power
- 350470 during loss of engine power
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Inoperative
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller feather/reversing › Inoperative
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Engine out control › Malfunction
- Personnel issues › Physical › Sensory ability/limitation › (general) › Flight crew
Pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea, AME, ASE, APLN, glider
- Flight time: 15,457 hours in all; 5,612 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 14,950 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 14, 2018
- Medical certificate: class 1
- Injury: fatal
Co-pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, none, APLN, none
- Flight time: 9,969 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 5,235 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 24, 2018
- Medical certificate: class 3
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 37,504 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 20, 2018; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 29,000 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W Canada PT6A (turboprop); 12 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W Canada PT6A (turboprop); 12 hours total
- Operator: Afm Hardware Inc
- Operating certificate: in the vicinity
The flight
- Departed from: OH22 Kidron OH at 2:12 pm
- Destination: CAK Akron OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway S, 3,460 ft by 45 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 0°C, dew point -8°C
- Altimeter: 30.48 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KPHD, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN19LA056.