Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Gia Lâm Airport, while climbing, the pilot-in-command encountered technical problems with the elevators and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in the bed of the Red River, few km from the airfield. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off as the right wing was sheared off during the emergency procedure.

Probable cause:

It was reported that the elevator jammed in an inappropriate position for unknown reason.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Norton AFB

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

349384/F-RBFR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

15200/26645

YOM:

1944

Location:

Norton AFB (San Bernardino)

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in the Box Springs Mountains: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-15109

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Madison – Amarillo – San Bernardino

MSN:

19575

YOM:

1944

Location:

Mt Box Springs

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew left Madison-Truax Field in the day bound for Amarillo to pick up four US Officers who have to fly to the Norton AFB located in San Bernardino. While approaching Norton AFB from the south at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the airplane hit the ground in the Box Springs Mountains. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Flores: 30 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1951 at 1900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

0961

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Flores – Guatemala City

Location:

Flores-Mundo Maya (Santa Elena)

Petén

Country:

Guatemala

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Flores Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 2 km from the airport. All five crew members and 25 passengers were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew:
Maj Enrique Pérez, pilot,
José Angel Escobar,
Miguel Deleón,
Casiano Castañeda,
Enrique Menéndez.

Probable cause:

It was reported that the loss of control was consecutive to a in-flight fire in the cabin caused by a cigarette that was not properly extinguished.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Skopje: 12 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

YU-ACC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Belgrade – Skopje

MSN:

13014

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on final approach to Skopje Airport, killing all 12 occupants.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK in the Everglades

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-49040

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

26301

YOM:

1944

Location:

Miami

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

An engine caught fire in flight and as the crew was unable to extinguish the fire, he decided to bail out and abandon the aircraft that crashed into the Everglades National Park, about 18 miles northwest of Miami. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all five occupants were rescued 12 hours later.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Seven Islands

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Hollinger Ungava Transport

Registration:

CF-DXR

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

13376

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crash landed for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK on Mt Ingeli: 17 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

ZS-AVJ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Port Elizabeth – Durban

MSN:

12016

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in clouds, the airplane crashed on Mt Ingeli (2,500 meters high) located about 17 km southeast of Kokstad. The aircraft christened 'Paardeberg' was destroyed and all 17 occupants were killed. It is believed that the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain.