Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in San Vicente del Caguán: 19 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HK-595
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Vicente del Caguán – Neiva
MSN:
19238
YOM:
1943
Location:
San Vicente del Caguán
Caquetá
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 14 ar San Vicente del Caguán-Eduardo Falla Solano Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 800 meters past the runway end. Two passengers were seriously injured while 19 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that one of the engine failed shortly after rotation and that the aircraft was overloaded by 311 kilos at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL in Rajince: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
4W-ABI
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Belgrade - Athens - Cairo - Jeddah - Aden
MSN:
9334
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rajince
Southern and Eastern Serbia
Country:
Serbia
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded and mountainous area located near Rajince, south Serbia. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was the consequence of a loss of control caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on the aircraft.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL on Mt de Hojas

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AUX
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
20179
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mt de Hojas
Manabí
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on Mt de Hojas located southeast of Manta. Occupant's fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK in Townsville

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
A65-73
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15923/32671
YOM:
1945
Location:
Townsville
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Belly landed at Townsville Airport for unknown reasons. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL Skytrain in Villa Reynolds

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
TC-31
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
19659
YOM:
1944
Location:
Villa Reynolds
San Luis
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff following an engine fire. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Bamako: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
6V-AAP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bamako – Abidjan
MSN:
20505
YOM:
1944
Location:
Bamako
Bamako City District
Country:
Mali
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Less than two minutes after his night takeoff from Bamako Airport, while climbing, the pilot initiated a right turn when the airplane struck a hill and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK in Windsor Locks

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1971 at 1521 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
N74844
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Windsor Locks - Beverly
MSN:
15013/26458
YOM:
1944
Location:
Windsor Locks-Bradley
Connecticut
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8194
Captain / Total hours on type:
570.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport on a ferry flight to Beverly for a maintenance check. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, one of the engine lost power and the crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On approach, the airplane crash landed few dozen yards short of runway and came to rest in flames. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation. The following factors were reported:
- Water in fuel,
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- The aircraft had not flown for about 10 months,
- The pilot was not rated on type, last flew DC-3 in 1967.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK off Las Palmas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1971 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
T.3-37
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Las Palmas - Al Aaiun
MSN:
14734/26179
YOM:
1944
Location:
Las Palmas-Gando (Gran Canaria)
Canary Islands
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Las Palmas-Gando Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed into the sea. Three crew members were killed and two others were injured. There were high crosswinds at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Ban Huoeisay

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Lao Airlines
Registration:
XW-TDI
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15700/27145
YOM:
1945
Location:
Ban Huoeisay (Houei Sai)
Bokèo Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.
Subscribe to Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)