Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

ET-ABQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Asmara – Axum – Gondar – Bahar Dar – Addis Ababa

MSN:

4325

YOM:

1942

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Aircraft flight hours:

28615

Circumstances:

On approach to Gondar Airport, the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed few km from the airfield. All 11 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the physical loss of the right wing was caused by the presence of fatigue cracks in the root.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Canaima: 34 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

YV-C-AKE

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Schedule:

Canaima - Caracas

MSN:

4705

YOM:

1942

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Canaima Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The crew decided to return for an emergency when on final, the airplane stalled and crashed few km from the airfield. None of the 34 occupants survived the crash.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine after takeoff for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK off Sandoway: 28 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

XY-ACM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Sandoway - Yangon

MSN:

15534/26979

YOM:

1944

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Sandoway Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea (Gulf of Bengal). Three passengers were rescued while 28 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK at Swartkop AFB

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

6850

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

15301/26746

YOM:

1944

Location:

Swartkop AFB (Pretoria)

Gauteng

Country:

South Africa

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

At liftoff, the airplane suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. It was engaged in a mission on behalf of the 44th Squadron.

Probable cause:

Engine failure at takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Wapenamanda

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VH-MAE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Madang - Wapenamanda

MSN:

11917

YOM:

1943

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Circumstances:

Upon landing at Wapenamanda Airport while on a cargo flight from Madang, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right main gear on landing due to a fractured trunnion at the rear of the undercarriage strut.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK in Tabuk

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HZ-AAK

Flight Phase:

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Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

16231/32979

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

Suffered a landing accident at Tabuk Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Kulusuk

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

F-WSGU

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

15420/26865

YOM:

1944

Location:

Kulusuk

Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq

Country:

Greenland

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

While on a delivery flight from Europe to the US, the aircraft crashed on approach to Kulusuk Airport. There were no casualties and the aircraft was abandoned on site.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Compostela: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

6012

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances on Mt Buenavista located 5 km west of Compostela, Nayarit. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas VC-47J near Cuchivero: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1972

Type of aircraft: