Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Edavlli: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1977 at 0720 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VT-EEL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
13290
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged on an aerial survey sortie in the foothills East of Velikonda range in Andhra Pradesh, India. According to the eye-witnesses and the weather information, the prevailing weather conditions over the survey region during the period were 'Cloudy weather with cloud base varying from 600 m to 750 m'. It was quite probable that the cloud base was still lower over the particular area, covering the hill tops. The pilot who was flying at an altitude of 2,000 feet when he arrived at the survey area, most probably took a left-hand turn circumventing the highest peak in the area (Nisam Konda 2,181 feet high) and then started to descend with the aim to get below the cloud base for visual flight. During the process, the pilot did not see a jutting out rock face on the adjacent hill, Podille Konda, which probably was obscured by a patch of low cloud. The aircraft collided with the rock face and caught fire.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was attributed to collision of the aircraft with a jutting rock on the top of a hill which was not noticed by the pilot in time to take evasive action as it was probably obscured by a patch of low lying cloud.

Ground accident of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Chicago

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
N57131
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19040
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Chicago-O'Hare Airport to reach the Emery Air Freight Terminal, the airplane was caught by strong crosswinds. It went out of the taxiway and collided with an electrical transformer before coming to rest in flames. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It was leased from Pinehurst Airlines.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Amatlán de Jora: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1977
Registration:
XA-COM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
19409
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while on approach to Amatlán de Jora Airstrip. Both pilots and three loaders were killed. The airplane was carrying a load of cereals.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK off Aden: 19 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
7O-ABF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aden - Al Karf
MSN:
13475
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Aden-Khormaksar Airport, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. Pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into the sea few km offshore. A passenger was rescued while 19 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Salluit: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
C-FNAR
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13154
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Salluit Airport (Ungava Peninsula) in whiteout conditions, the airplane crashed in the icy Sugluk Inlet few km short of runway. Two crew members and two passengers were killed while six other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with ground in whiteout conditions after the pilot suffered a possible spatial disorientation on final.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Kenora

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
C-GRMH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20196
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed into trees on the left side of the runway after liftoff from Kenora-Wiebenville Airport. Both pilots were injured.

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

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1125
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14531/25976
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Takeoff was initiated about 15 metres behind the threshold markings of runway 27. The soft surface hindered acceleration and 395 metres further on the left landing gear dropped into a wheel track left by the same aircraft while landing on runway 09. The aircraft deviated to the left and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The aircraft continued for another 47 metres before the left landing gear struck a fallen tree trunk. This turned the aircraft through 50° to the left and the nose became embedded in the undergrowth. Both engines and main landing gear broke off and the nose section was severely damaged. All occupants were evacuated safely but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Tanjung Santan

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
PK-NDH
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19694
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at Tanjung Santan Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DL near Sütçüler: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
ETI-27
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
13878
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was dispatched to Antalya when it crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located near Sütçüler, about 65 km north of Antalya Airport. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK in Buffalo Range: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
R7034
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buffalo Range - Buffalo Range
MSN:
16662/33410
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a paratroopers mission in the region of Buffalo Range. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at low height, the twin engine airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed. Both pilots and a paratrooper were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Those killed were:
- S/L Peter Arthur Barnett,
- F/Lt David Edwin Mallett,
- Cpl Anthony Bradley.