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

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK near Barentu: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AFW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
16681/33429
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
10566
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight, the airplane disappeared from radar screens. The wreckage was found in a desert area near Barentu and all five occupants were killed. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a bomb exploded on board in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK near Teseney: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AGP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
15030/26475
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
18767
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Teseney, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Belle Glade

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
N4996E
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12141
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane crash landed in a sugar cane field in Belle Glade and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot, apparently sole on board, was not found. Illegal flight with a load of marijuana on board.
Probable cause:
Ground loop during landing roll after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported.
- Misjudged distance and speed,
- High vegetation,
- Rough terrain,
- Illegally transporting marijuana,
- Crew not apprehended.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Des Moines

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1978 at 1313 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N41447
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago - Des Moines
MSN:
12987
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck an embankment located 300 feet short of runway 03 threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off, the airplane nosed down and crashed. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Collision with a dirt bank on final approach after the crew misjudged distance and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Windshield covered by ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Visibility two miles or less,
- Wind gusting 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-Dl near Rubio: 28 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1393
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Cúcuta - Arauca
MSN:
19053
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 11,200 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 30 km south of Rubio, in the Judio Mountain Range. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 28 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the airplane was not following the correct route as mentioned on the flight plan and its altitude was insufficient. Controlled flight into terrain.

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

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
4W-ABY
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13174
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Damaged beyond repair following a hard landing at Ma'rib Airstrip. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK in Degehabur

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AGQ
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12278
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The copilot was the pilot-in-command and completed the approach. Just prior to touchdown, the captain realized the airplane was unstable due to unfavorable winds and decided to regain control. Upon landing, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway to the right, struck a drainage ditch, lost its left main gear and came to rest. All 13 occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK in Soddo

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AGK
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15020/26465
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
30160
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered engine problems and the decision was taken to divert to Soddo Airfield for an emergency landing. After touchdown, both engines were cut off. Unable to stop within the remaining distance of 1,200 meters, the airplane overran and came to rest in a drainage ditch. All 32 occupants were rescued and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine problems caused by a loss of hydraulic pressure that fell to zero.