Crash of a Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster in Karachi

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BBDS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saigon – Karachi – Bahrain – Paris
MSN:
10423
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Karachi, the four engine aircraft was too low, hit the ground and crash landed in a sandy area located two km short of runway threshold. All occupants escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 632 Viking 1B in Marve Beach

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-CIZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mumbai – Karachi
MSN:
202
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bombay-Santa Cruz, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to return. As the situation deteriorated rapidly, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in Marve Beach, about 13 km northwest of Bombay Airport. The aircraft belly landed on a beach, slid for several yards and came to rest. While all 25 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical issue.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DK near Vehari: 21 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1948 at 1115 LT
Operator:
Registration:
AP-ACE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Karachi – Lahore
MSN:
12775
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left Karachi at 0805LT bound for Lahore and climbed to the assigned altitude of 7,000 feet. While cruising in the region of Vehari, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all 21 occupants.
Probable cause:
The omission of a sealing washer on the carburetor fuel filter of the port engine resulting in fuel leaking on to the ignition systems, culminating in a severe oil fire which finally involved the main port fuel tanks. Secondary causes were a generally low standard of maintenance due to lack of tools, spares, adequate lighting, hurried workmanship, and inexperience in lower staff grades. The crew carried out their duty in a disciplined manner and if disintegration had been delayed for a short while longer an emergency landing could have been made.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Karachi

Date & Time: May 28, 1948
Registration:
AP-ABS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
FM.46
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason, injuring both occupants.

Crash of a Douglas C-48C-DO in Karachi: 23 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-AUG
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Karachi – Bombay
MSN:
4175
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff by night, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right, stalled and crashed by a 30° nose down angle in Korangi Creek. All 23 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor and weather conditions were considered as marginal.
Probable cause:
The loss of control was most likely caused by inadequate illumination of the flying instruments due to faults in the lighting system. The captain was seriously at fault in deciding to takeoff for a night flight in bad visibility after his instrument panel lighting had proved unserviceable, and before a thorough check be made.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sandringham V off Bahrain: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1947 at 0400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHZB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hong Kong – Karachi – Bahrain – London
MSN:
SH-38C
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The approach to Bahrain was completed by night and the crew landed in the Marine Base at an indicated speed of 85 to 90 knots. Upon landing, the seaplane had a tendency to nose down so the captain counteracted with the control column and increased power simultaneously. The aircraft bounced, left water for about one to two seconds and then veered sharply to the left. Out of control, it plunged into water and came to rest. Three crew members and seven passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration and poor landing technique on part of the crew, causing the aircraft to land hard.

Crash of a Lockheed L-049 Constellation in Al Mayadin: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1947 at 0140 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N88845
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
New York – Los Angeles – Honolulu – Tokyo – Calcutta – Karachi – Istanbul – London – Gander – Shannon – New York
MSN:
2045
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
PA121
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
12768
Captain / Total hours on type:
1009.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3178
Copilot / Total hours on type:
674
Aircraft flight hours:
2645
Circumstances:
Flight 121 departed from Karachi at 1537 June 18, 1947, for a return trip to the United States. The climb to the cruising altitude of 18,500 feet was routine, and the flight was proceeding “direct” to Istanbul, the first intended point of landing, estimating its arrival there to be 0208 the next day. Five hours after take-off trouble developed in the No. 1 engine, and the No. 1 propeller was feathered. The captain, J H. Hart, decided to continue to Istanbul with the use of three engines, however, it soon became evident that at an altitude of 18,500 feet the airspeed obtainable was not sufficient to provide adequate cooling for the engines. even though climb power was applied. Power was accordingly reduced and altitude was gradually lost. At 17,500 feet the engines still overheated and the descent was continued to 10,000 feet. At 2140, approximately one hour after the failure of engine No 1, the flight advised its company radio in Karachi of the engine trouble, following which it reported its 2200 position. This report placed the aircraft at 14,000 feet, 50 miles east of Baghdad, Iraq, and 90 miles east of the Royal Air Force Field at Habbaniya, Iraq Shortly after this report Habbaniya Tower was advised by the flight that its approximate position was over Baghdad. at an altitude of 10,000 feet, and the flight requested Habbaniya Tower to inform the civilian airfields in their area that the aircraft was proceeding with the use of only three engines to Istanbul Habbaniya Tower replied, stating that no airfields would be open until dawn, and suggested that an emergency landing be made at Habbaniya Flight 121, however, affirmed Its intention to continue, and added that if it were impossible to reach Istanbul, a landing would be made at Damascus, Syria Habbaniya Tower answered, at 2225, that all airfields in the Damascus area were closed until 0400 and again suggested that the flight land at Habbaniya. The flight again stated that It would continue to Istanbul, but that it would turn back to Habbaniya if it experienced any more trouble. Contemporaneous with this communication to Habbaniya Tower the flight sent a message, received in Karachi, and relayed to Damascus, requesting that Damascus Radio be alerted to stand by, and that the airport be opened. At 2308, June 18, Damascus Radio was on the air, and the field was opened as had been re quested. At approximately 2300 the flight reported its position to be 75 miles north west of Habbaniya at 10,000 feet Fifteen to thirty minutes later the purser seated in the passenger cabin noticed that the "fasten seat belt-no smoking” sign had come on, and he Immediately started to awaken the passengers so that they might fasten themselves in their seats. Suddenly. the entire cabin became illuminated from a fire which had started in Zone 1 of the No 2 engine nacelle. A report of this fire was received at 2330. by the Habbaniya direction finding station. at which time the flight was reporting a position of 34 38 degrees north and 41 05 degrees east, a point 170 statute miles northwest of Habbaniya, and 290 miles northeast of Damascus Immediately after the fire started in engine No. 2 a rapid descent was made for the purpose of crash landing the aircraft, and six to seven minutes later on the landing approach the No. 2 engine fell from the aircraft The wing in the area of the No 2 engine, however, continued to burn intensely. Less than a minute after the No 2 engine fell from the aircraft a wheels-up landing was made on relatively smooth, hard-packed desert sand. The left wing tip made the first contact with the ground, then the No 1 propeller and then the left wing at the No 2 engine position. The impact tore the left wing from the fuselage near its root, and caused the aircraft to ground loop violently to the left. During the course of the ground loop the aircraft turned around its longitudinal axis 180 degrees, skidded backwards for a distance of 210 feet, then came to rest in flames 400 feet from the first point of impact, and headed opposite to its course of landing.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a fire which resulted from an attempt to feather the No. 2 propeller after the failure of the No. 2 engine thrust bearing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland V off Lee-on-The-Solent: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1946 at 0448 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VB885
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Calshot - Karachi
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
In the early hours of February 13th, 1946, VB885, an almost new Sunderland took off from RAF Calshot on a ferry flight to Karachi. Immediately after takeoff, an engine failed and the pilot decided to return to Calshot. The first attempt at landing was aborted and the aircraft went round for another approach. However, in the dark and with apparently poor visibility, the pilot apparently misjudged his rate of descent and at 0448LT, after a flight lasting 22 minutes, the aircraft crashed into the sea 100 yards off Lee-on-The-Solent. All ten crew were killed.
Crew (302nd FTU):
P/O K. Dollin, pilot,
F/O R. B. Couchman, copilot,
F/Sgt Hamish Ian Sandison,
F/Sgt R. M. Anderson,
Sgt H. Barker,
Sgt G. Granger,
Sgt M. O'Donoghue,
Sgt H. O'Keefe,
F/Sgt L. E. Snook,
F/Sgt R. C. Stevens.
Source: http://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/airfields/vb885.html
Probable cause:
Possible error in not feathering the engine number four that failed after takeoff. Maybe the clutch failed as well in which case the reaction of the pilot was correct in not feathering the engine. It was also confirmed that there was no defect on carburetor, magnetos or plugs.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-5-DO Skymaster in Chhukha: 44 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1945 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-0528
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Karachi – Dibrugarh
MSN:
35981
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
USAF28A
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
Circumstances:
While cruising by night at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the aircraft hit with its right wing some trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. The wreckage was found a month later and all 44 occupants have been killed.
Crew:
Cpl James R. Bell,
Sgt Harold F. Benjamin,
S/Sgt Herman E. Beyer,
Sgt Charles H. Burkhardt,
Sgt Adrien D. Cambron,
Sgt Adam T. Diamont,
Pfc Samuel H. Doolan Jr.,
Cpl William J. Fisher,
F/O Francis P. Fisk,
Sgt Richard K. France,
Sgt Warren L. Frank,
F/O Charles M. Fulton,
F/O Philo A. Goodrich,
F/O Frederick C. Grainger,
S/Sgt Spencer R. Gunn,
S/Sgt Robert G. Harrigan,
Pfc George L. Hassell,
Sgt Hillery E. Howell,
Sgt James F. Huff,
F/O Howard F. Hulslander Jr.,
Sgt Joseph A. Jenkins Jr.,
F/O Harry E. Jones,
Cpl Nathan Kramer,
Pfc Kee Kui,
Cpl Iradell Lee,
T/Sgt Ralph J. Luca,
Sgt Roger C. Mallard,
2nd Lt Theodore A. Marshall,
S/Sgt James E . McGee,
Pfc Beverly A. McHenry.,
Sgt William F. Miller,
Sgt Frank L. Moser,
S/Sgt Daniel F. O'Callaghan,
Sgt William T. O'Hara Jr.,
Sgt William Occhialini,
Pfc Robert E. Osborne,
F/O John S. Owens Jr.,
Pvt Joseph N. Peloquin,
F/O Euei Ratliff,
Cpl Chester E. Ross,
Cpt Warren A . Roth,
S/Sgt Paul D. Selanders,
Sgt Thomas C. Setzer,
Sgt Robert L. Smith.
Probable cause:
It appears that the pilot did not follow the assigned airway and flew a direct route from Karachi to Dibrugarh. Due to low visibility caused by night, he was unable to distinguish the mountains and natural obstacles. The accident was caused by a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando near Sharjah: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-107375
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Karachi – Abadan
MSN:
27062
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Enroute from Karachi to Abadan, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located about 50 km east of Sharjah, in the UAE All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O William G. Harding 2.