Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Saint Louis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1984 at 2232 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GSCA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Toronto
MSN:
15745/27190
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1350.00
Aircraft flight hours:
17933
Circumstances:
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 On the 3rd attempt to depart, the aircraft took off, but both engines lost power as the landing gear was retracted.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.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) fluid,fuel - improper
2. (c) maintenance, service of aircraft/equipment - improper - fbo personnel
3. Aircraft performance, two or more engines - inoperative
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
4. (f) object - utility pole
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
5. (f) object - fence
----------
Occurrence #5: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
6. (f) terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK in Manila

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C287
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14673/26118
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Manila Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing in an open field located in Zapote, about 10 km from the airfield. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest. All 10 occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Rio Blanco: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1983 at 0900 LT
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
El Aguacate - El Aguacate
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
A U.S.-registered Douglas C-47 transport plane was engaged in a military operation to supply a right-wing rebel group that was fighting Nicaragua's revolutionary Sandinista government. The aircraft flew at a low altitude in the area of Wanawás to drop supplies. While manoeuvering in the area, a soldier of the Sandinista Popular Army fired a portable Strela-2M missile (also known as SA-7). The missile hit the left hand engine but did not explode. The cabin filled with smoke, forcing the pilot to carry out a forced landing. The crew initially survived but the co-pilot died of his injuries on 26 October 1983.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Douglas VC-47B in Ubon Ratchathani: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
L2-30/07
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
15457/26902
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
After takeoff, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed onto several houses. All five crew members as well as four people on the ground were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in Khartoum

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
N480F
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9719
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport, while climbing, the right engine malfunctioned. The pilot decided to shut it down and to feather its propeller. Few seconds later, the left engine lost power and decision was taken to attempt an emergency landing. The crew completed a belly landing in a wasteland located few km from the airport. The aircraft slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 24 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the fuel was contaminated with water, causing the engine to lose power and/or malfunction.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Toronto: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1983 at 0858 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GUBT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Toronto
MSN:
12424
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
A Douglas C-47A cargo plane was destroyed when it crashed while in final approach to Toronto International Airport, ON (YYZ), Canada. Both pilots were killed. Skycraft Air Transport Flight 505 operated on a cargo flight from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, OH (CLE), USA. It was loaded with 6 wire mesh baskets, each almost filled with automobile roof bows. On completion of the loading, the crew chief stated he asked the flight crew if they wished the load tied down. They responded by saying they would take care of it. Flight 505 departed Cleveland at 07:45, on a VFR flight plan. The Toronto terminal controller gave a few small heading changes to direct the flight to the instrument landing system (ILS) localizer for an almost straight-in approach to runway 06R, then transferred it to the arrival controller, who continued vectoring the aircraft. During the approach, the arrival controller twice requested Flight 505 to maintain its best speed for spacing from other aircraft. The crew initially reported they were flying their maximum speed, and later indicated they were at their best speed as the aircraft was fairly heavy. Flight 505 called the tower over the outer marker and was cleared to land. After crossing the threshold 100 to 150 ft above the runway, the nose of the aircraft smoothly rose 5 to 10 deg. The nose then dropped an almost equal number of degrees, as if a correction had been made for the nose high attitude. This up, then down pitch movement was quickly followed by two pitch oscillations of increasing speed and magnitude. On the fourth oscillation, the nose continued to rise 45 to 60 deg. and the aircraft started to climb. The engine noise seemed to increase as the aircraft pitched up for the last time. At approximately 200 ft, as the aircraft reached the apex of its climb, the left wing dropped and the aircraft yawed to the left approximately 90 degrees. The wings levelled, then the aircraft fell into the field to the right side of the runway. The time between the beginning of the first oscillation and the impact with the ground is estimated to have been approximately 10 seconds. On impact the right main gear ruptured a fuel tank and a post-impact fuel fire ensued.
Probable cause:
The aircraft's weight and centre of gravity limits were exceeded, and the cargo was not secured. These factors led to loss of control of the aircraft.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-40-DK in Cali

Date & Time: May 3, 1983 at 0945 LT
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1126
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cali - Guapi
MSN:
16860/33608
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Cali-Palmaseca Airport, one of the engine failed. The crew completed an emergency landing near the airport. All 22 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47E in Arequipa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
FAP356
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
20009
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While approaching Arequipa-Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. Too low, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed, killing all five occupants.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Salento: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-651
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Puerto Leguizamo – Neiva – Cali – Bogotá
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route from Puerto Leguizamo to Neiva, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of Mt El Paramillo located near Solento. All four crew members were killed.