Explosion of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Massawa

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AAP
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Massawa - Teseney
MSN:
13181
YOM:
1944
Location:
Massawa
Southern Red Sea
Country:
Eritrea
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
36541
Circumstances:
The crew was taxiing at Massawa Airport and was approaching the end of the runway for departure when the tail wheel rolled over a landmine. The airplane exploded and was almost cut in two. A fire erupted and while four occupants were able to evacuate the cabin, the copilot was forced to jump out of the cockpit through his window. Falling down on the ground, he broke a foot. The airplane was destroyed. There were on board three crew members and two passengers, a security officer and a loadmaster.
Probable cause:
Exploded after rolling on a landmine.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Yoro: 25 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1977 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
301
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Yoro - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
6096
YOM:
1942
Location:
Yoro
Yoro
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
36
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Circumstances:
During initial climb, the left engine failed and caught fire. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in a mountainous terrain located few km from the airport. 25 occupants were killed while 15 others were injured. All passengers were employees of local companies travelling with family members.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Mitú

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Lineas Aéreas Orientales (LAOS Colombia)
Registration:
HK-166
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12560
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley
Vaupés
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while on approach to Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport. Six occupants were seriously injured while four others were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D near Bangkok

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
L2-11/96
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Udon Thani - Bangkok
MSN:
16944/34203
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bangkok-Don Mueang
Bangkok City District
Country:
Thailand
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Don Mueang Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an open field located in Lam Luk Ka, about 15 km east of the airport. All nine occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Bangkok: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Bangkok-Don Mueang
Bangkok City District
Country:
Thailand
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, the airplane went out of control and crashed on the tarmac, colliding with a parked Royal Thai Force Fairchild C-123K Provider registered L4K-2/16. Both airplanes were destroyed. While the C-123 was empty, five people on board the C-47 were killed, seven others were injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Condoto

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Taxi Aéreo Nacional
Registration:
HK-1511E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Condoto - Cali
MSN:
6138
YOM:
1942
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Condoto-Mandinga Airport, the right engine failed. The crew completed an emergency landing in a swampy area and upon touchdown, the right engine separated and struck the cockpit, injuring the copilot. All other occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine after takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Mendoza

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TC-15
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
19796
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mendoza-El Plumerillo
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed after the left engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft was almost destroyed and all occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine on takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Founkoueye

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
5U-AAJ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
4505
YOM:
1942
Location:
Founkoueye
Tahoua
Country:
Niger
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route to Tahoua, the crew encountered problems with the left engine that oversped. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the crew attempted an emergency landing in a prairie. The aircraft belly landed and slid for several meters before coming to rest. While all 21 occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Technical problems with the left engine in flight for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Mapai: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1977 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
R3702
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mapai - Harare
MSN:
13965/25310
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mapai
Gaza
Country:
Mozambique
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
9522
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Mapai Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane was shot down by a RPG7 and crashed in flames in a field. The captain was killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Crew:
Bruce Collocott, pilot, †
Jerry Lynch, copilot +2.
Probable cause:
Shot down by ground fire.
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