Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK near Tombouctou

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Ray Geophysical
Registration:
N481F
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
26461/15016
YOM:
1944
Location:
Tombouctou
Tombouctou
Country:
Mali
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A loss of engine power en route forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames north of Tombouctou. All six occupants escaped and only one passenger was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Owned by Ray Geophysical, the airplane was engaged in a on-demand mission on behalf of Texaco. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in 1973.
Probable cause:
Engine power loss in flight.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-8 in Sólheimasandur

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1973 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
17171
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Höfn - Keflavik
MSN:
43309
YOM:
1944
Location:
Sólheimasandur
Southern Region (Suðurland)
Country:
Iceland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Keflavik after having delivered various equipment at Höfn-Hornafjörður Airport. While flying along the south coast of the island, the crew encountered icing conditions and as the pilot was unable to maintain the prescribed altitude, he decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a snow and icy terrain located in the uninhabited area of Sólheimasandur. While all seven occupants were rescued, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site.
Probable cause:
Icing conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK near Quảng Ngãi: 27 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1973 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
XV-NIE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Saigon - Quảng Ngãi
MSN:
14910/26355
YOM:
1944
Location:
Quảng Ngãi
Đồng Nai Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
While approaching Quảng Ngãi Airport by night and marginal weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed about 20 km northwest of Quảng Ngãi. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 27 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew was approaching Quảng Ngãi under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Douglas AC-47B in Battambang

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48805
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14621/26066
YOM:
1943
Location:
Battambang
Battambang
Country:
Cambodia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Itaituba: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
PT-CEV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Itaituba – Jacareacanga
MSN:
20182
YOM:
1944
Location:
Itaituba
Pará
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while climbing at low speed, the pilot-in-command made a turn to the right when the airplane stalled and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a power loss on one engine or maybe both. The cause of the loss of power may be caused a contaminated fuel.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK in Ankara

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-6022
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14153/25598
YOM:
1944
Location:
Ankara-Etimesgut
Central Anatolia Region (İç Anadolu Bölgesi)
Country:
Turkey
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK in Mbeya

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
5H-AAK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14370/25815
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mbeya
Mbeya Region
Country:
Tanzania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Mbeya Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Sulaco

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HR-SAB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
4299
YOM:
1942
Location:
Sulaco
Yoro
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Sulaco, the airplane struck trees and crashed in a prairie. All 10 occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL in Rimouski: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CF-QBB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10081
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rimouski
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on an instrument approach to Rimouski Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a tree and crashed 5 km southeast of Rimouski. The airplane was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
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