Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

After landing at Surin Airport, the tire on the right main gear burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a ditch. There were no casualties.

The aircraft departed Catacamas-El Aguacate Airport on a 'survey' flight over Nicaragua. While flying at low height, it was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM-7) fired by soldiers from the Sandinista Popular Army. The aircraft crashed, killing all eight occupants.

Shortly after takeoff from Wamena Airport, while in initial climb in limited visibility due to low clouds, the aircraft struck power cables and crashed, bursting into flames. A pilot was killed while both other occupants were killed.

Moments after the DC-3 took off, the tower controller noted the left engine was torching and asked the flight if it was 'having a problem.' The crew replied 'affirmative,' then the controller cleared the flight to land on any runway. The aircraft began turning left at the end of the runway and continued turning at low altitude until it struck utility poles and crashed thru a warehouse roof about 2 miles from the airport. A witness reported the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 100 to 150 feet agl, the left propeller was feathered and the right engine was at full power. An exam of the left engine disclosed the #14 cylinder was missing a spark plug from the front spark plug hole. The spark plug lead and 'b' nut were attached to the ignition harness, but no plug was attached to the lead. The spark plug hole and b-nut threads were undamaged. A white deposit was found inside the cylinder spark plug threads and outside the cylinder, adjacent to the hole. The deposit was identified to contain high concentrations of lead and bromine, most likely formed from exhaust gases and fuel during cylinder operation. A company mechanic reportedly worked on the plugs on the previous day. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

While cruising at an altitude of 7,500 feet in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Alto Santa Rosa located by the Mt Irazú (volcano). The wreckage was found few meters below the summit and all four crew members were killed.

The airplane was completing a flight from the US to Nicaragua, carrying seven people and a load of weapons and ammunitions for the Contras in Nicaragua. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located near Ciudad Quesada. All seven occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying with a wrong registration CF-ETE while the correct reg was N62WS.

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.

The aircraft was engaged in a charter flight, carrying people and support equipment for the Paris - Dakar Rally. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed and the propeller was feathered. The crew decided to return for an emergency landing but on final, the aircraft became unstable after the undercarriage would be lowered at a height of 30-40 feet. The aircraft landed to the right of the runway and came to rest in a grassy area. The hot engines set fire to the dry grass and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. All 17 occupants escaped uninjured.
Photos by Gilbert Mauroo on http://www.vieillestiges.be/nl/articles/5

After landing, the pilot-in-command (pic) placed a refueling order to fill the aircraft's two 210 gallons main tanks for a return flight to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After the cargo was unloaded and the aircraft was refueled, the aircrew aborted the 1st two attempts to takeoff due to slow aircraft performance. Engine run-ups were performed after each abort and reportedly, the engines checked normal. After the 2nd aborted takeoff, the aircrew called the fbo and requested that the refueler be asked what type of fuel was added. The response was '100LL Avgas.' On the 3rd attempt to depart, the aircraft took off, but both engines lost power as the landing gear was retracted. The aircrew selected a highway on which to land. However, the left wing hit a utility pole, then the aircraft went thru a fence and hit a highway embankment. Investigation revealed that Jet-A fuel had been added to the aircraft rather than 100LL fuel. The truck containing Jet-A fuel looked similar to the one with 100LL Avgas, but was properly designated with fuel grade markings. A pilot was killed, the second was seriously injured.

Crashed in an open field following in-flight technical problems. All five crew members were killed.