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Crash of a Douglas C-54A-5-DO Skymaster in Córdoba

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1953 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ABQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Cruz – Salta – Córdoba
MSN:
7468
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
5300.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) on a scheduled airline flight and landed without incident at Salta 2 hours and 30 minutes later. It took off from Salta airport for Córdoba at approximately 1645LT. At take-off the aircraft was carrying a total load of 3,512 kg. The route forecast as far as Marcos Juarez was as follows: partly cloudy, visibility 15 km, stratocumulus cloud 7/8 at 800 meters, altocumulus 3/8 at 3'000 meters, upper wind 20' 13/15 knots. The aircraft contacted Córdoba Airport control tower at 1856LT and was cleared to enter the airport zone. At 1925LT it passed over the radio beacon and the control tower provided the following weather information: horizontal visibility 6 km, average height of cloud 250 meters, pressure for altimeter correction 30 inches, surface wind SE, 10 to 11 knots. The approach to the airport was begun under IFR conditions, at an indicated speed of mph and at an altitude of 5, 100 feet above the radio range (the requirement is 4,400 feet). aircraft flew a course to the north for 1 minute 50 seconds, with 15° flaps and then, continuing the descent, it turned to the right on a 45° course, flying in this direction for 1 minute more. The altitude just before the turn was 3, 100 feet. It then turned to the left on a course of 225°. When the aircraft direction finder indicated 40° to the left, the compass was set at 180° and the direction finder maintained at O°. At that moment, according to the evidence, the instruments indicated an altitude of 2, 980 feet. The aircraft flew at this altitude for 30 seconds, and the engine speed was reduced for landing. It continued to descend for another minute 20 seconds until the altimeter indicated 2, 200 feet. At that instant, according to the statements made by the pilot-in-command and the copilot, the aircraft came into contact with the ground. The aircraft was finishing the final straight-in approach to the airport and was aligned exactly with runway 17. All 41 occupants were evacuated safely, only both pilots were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Since it was evident that the accident was caused by the fact that the aircraft had been unduly deflected toward the north during the instrument approach, the investigation attempted to discover the reasons for that deflection. The following probable factors were considered:
- An analysis of the approach maneuver indicated that it had been started at a greater altitude than that prescribed by the instrument approach procedures. This in itself would result in a steeper descent on the northern course, and it is possible therefore that the speed of 140 miles per hour was exceeded by 5 or 10 knots, particularly since the landing gear was retracted and tail wind was not taken into account in timing the maneuver,
- The copilot stated that he called the time on his stop-watch, using the small second-hand because the large one was not working properly. This was confirmed by the Investigating Board. Since the co-pilot was wearing the watch on the left wrist and working constantly with that hand in trying to tune in the "C" marker beacon, his time readings may have been inaccurate with the result that the total time may have been exceeded by a few seconds,
- The possibility of upper wind of an intensity greater than that registered on the surface.
This theory was accepted, taking into account the fact that two fronts of the "upper" cold front type occurred at Córdoba on 17 June 1953
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL in Puerto Deseado

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
LV-AGE
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20083
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The DC-3 approached fast and touched down on its right gear some 200 m past the runway threshold. After traveling 120 m on the right wheel, the DC-3 lifted off briefly and touched down again 120 m further on, again on the right gear. The left wheel touched down after 30 m. The aircraft overran the runway, ending up in a 3 m deep ditch. Weather was given as 1500-2000 m visibility, ceiling 300, wind WSW 2 knots, runway rather muddy.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to the error of the pilot in calculating the landing distance, made unfavourable meteorological conditions, with the result that the aircraft ran over the perimeter fence of the field and fell into a trench.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK in Río Grande: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1951 at 0830 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ACY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ushuaia – Río Grande – Buenos Aires
MSN:
12291
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
On final approach to Río Grande Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located few dozen yards short of runway. Three crew members and eight passengers were killed while 13 other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.
Crew:
Miguel Yorio, pilot,
Pablo Abella, copilot,
Jorge Pizarro, radio operator,
Horacio Dalera, flight engineer.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Mar del Plata: 17 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1950 at 2209 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ACH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mar del Plata – Buenos Aires
MSN:
13027
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
Less than two minutes after takeoff from Mar del Plata Airport, while in initial climb by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed near the Camet Park, between the airport and the sea. The wreckage was found less than two km from the airport and a girl aged eight was found alive but seriously injured while 17 other occupants were killed. It appears that one of the engine failed shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Buenos Aires

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1950 at 2145 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ACL
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12020
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. There were no casualties.