Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in San Borja

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1243
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15861/32609
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, one of the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed by the runway. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Poptún: 31 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1980
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Guatemala City - Poptún
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Guatemala City Airport, carrying 27 passengers and four crew members, essentially army officers and family members who were flying to Poptún to visit Maya ruins. In unknown circumstances, the airplane crashed in a mountainous area located about 65 km south of Poptún. All 31 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK off Si Racha: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
L2-13/96
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
12872
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea few km off Si Racha. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL in Puerto Lempira: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
313
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20839
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Puerto Lempira. Both pilots were killed while all passengers survived.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK near Cascavel

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1979
Registration:
PT-KVT
Flight Phase:
MSN:
12147
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 5 km from Cascavel. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK in Kaduqli

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1979
Registration:
ST-AHH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15880/32628
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft came to rest in flames and was destroyed by fire. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK Dakota IV-M in Bettles: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1979 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N99663
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Bettles - Ambler
MSN:
16719/33467
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Bettles Airport was unstable and completed in poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and blowing snow. The aircraft crashed on three parked aircraft on apron. The C-47 was destroyed and both pilots were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was below minimums.
Probable cause:
Collision with parked aircraft on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Blowing snow,
- Visibility less than half a mile, below minimums,
- No alternate airport,
- LOC/DME approach.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AGU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13026
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
44676
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the airplane lost height and struck the runway surface. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-50-DK off Honolulu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1979 at 1930 LT
Registration:
N63250
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Jose - Honolulu
MSN:
17062/34329
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Circumstances:
While approaching Honolulu on a ferry flight from San jose, California, the crew declared an emergency via an auxiliary emergency system that all communication and navigation systems failed. Few minutes later, the airplane crashed into the ocean off Honolulu. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the two crew members was found.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight following a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew became lost/disoriented,
- Failure of the communications and navigations equipment,
- Failure of the Loran receiver,
- Communications failure,
- Failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Aircraft not recovered,
- Pilot reported HF radio and Loran inoperative,
- Lost,
- No fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL near Elk City: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1979 at 0945 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N148Z
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Grangeville - Moose Creek
MSN:
20422
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
A Forest Service owned and operated Douglas C-47, N148Z, was dispatched from Grangeville, ID to transport personnel and gear to the Moose Creek Ranger Station up the Selway River, a distance of about 60 miles. On board the aircraft were 11 Forest Service employees (which included the pilot and copilot), one volunteer, 3,100 pounds of cargo, and two canines. The aircraft had been configured for smokejumper missions and consequently all of the passengers were sitting on the port side of the aircraft facing the cargo on the other side. The cargo was held in place with retaining straps. The flight took off at 09:28 hours. The pilots began to fly the normal route, over the river, and to the Ranger Station. It was determined that the left engine failed (or was shut down) in flight, about 20 minutes after takeoff from the airport. Presumably this was the result of rising temperature of nose case components and lubricating oil and low oil pressure. The left propeller was apparently feathered immediately after the engine failed (or was shut down) in flight. The right engine "blew a jug" on cylinder number eight and burst into flame within perhaps 10 to 30 seconds from the time the left engine stopped. The right engine separated from the wing with an explosive sound within perhaps 10 to 30 seconds from the time it burst into flame. The aircraft continued approximately three and one half miles upstream in a narrow canyon in powerless glide after the right engine fell off. The pilots evidently attempted to land in the river. During this maneuver, the aircraft hit a tree and nosed into the river. Upon impact, the aircraft broke up approximately ten miles downriver from the Ranger Station. The location was a steep, timbered, rocky-river canyon at an elevation of 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). Three passengers survived the mishap; however, one of these survivors succumbed to his injuries before he could be transported to the hospital.
Source: ASN