Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

PP-AVZ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Vitória da Conquista – Salvador

MSN:

9156

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Vitória da Conquista to Salvador, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the captain decided to reduce his altitude to avoid clouds when the aircraft went through a cumulonimbus area. Severe turbulences were encountered and the aircraft went out of control when both wings broke off and separated. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in the region of Ilhéus. Two passengers were seriously injured while 13 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was reported that the aircraft encountered severe turbulences while cruising in a cumulonimbus area, which caused the rupture of both wings that were overstressed (above wing certification). The decision of the crew to start a rapid descent and to fly into a cumulonimbus area was imprudent.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK in São Paulo

Date & Time: May 26, 1950 at 1600 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PP-SPV

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

São Paulo – Ribeirão Preto – São José do Rio Preto

MSN:

14540/25985

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the right engine failed. The pilot in command lost control of the aircraft that veered off runway and collided with an earth bank. The left engine was sheared off and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. All 24 occupants were rescued, among them three were slightly injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-55-DL near Pasto: 26 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HK-307

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Popayán – Ipiales

MSN:

10194

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising west of Pasto, the aircraft hit the slope of the Galeras volcano. A young girl aged 10 was seriously injured while 26 other occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the aircraft was flying at an insufficient altitude.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Burley

Date & Time: May 17, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

43-49267

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

15083/26528

YOM:

1944

Location:

Burley

Idaho

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 was engaged in a training mission when an engine failed in flight. The pilot in command elected to make an emergency landing and reduced his altitude when the aircraft hit power lines and crashed in a pasture. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Lowry AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

43-49496

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

MSN:

15312/26757

YOM:

1944

Location:

Lowry AFB (Denver)

Colorado

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 Lowry AFB while landing in poor weather conditions. At least one crew member was killed in the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Bālurghāt

Date & Time: May 17, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

VT-CHB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

13023

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crash landed, no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK Dakota C.4 in Habbaniya AFB

Date & Time: May 3, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

KN543

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

16399/33147

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Habbaniya AFB, both engines stopped simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Simiátug: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HK-120

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type: