Crash of a Douglas CC-129 Dakota near Paulatuk: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1971
Operator:
Registration:
12930
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
13303
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a SAR mission in the region of Palautuk. While flying by night at a relative low height, the pilot-in-command completed a turn when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed, killing all eight occupants.
Crew:
Cpt C. A. Healy,
Cpt S. R. Gitzel,
Cpt P. C. Hodges,
Cpt L. A. Cooper,
Lt D. W. Smart,
Cpl W. E. Platt,
Sgt J. R. Lemieux,
Cpl R. N. Vodden.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Quy Nhơn: 22 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1971
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
On final approach to Qui Nhơn Airport in heavy rain falls, the airplane crashed few km short of runway. A passenger was seriously injured while 22 other occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1971
Operator:
Registration:
HK-595
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Vicente del Caguán – Neiva
MSN:
19238
YOM:
1943
Country:
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
Operator:
Registration:
4W-ABI
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Belgrade - Athens - Cairo - Jeddah - Aden
MSN:
9334
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
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
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AUX
Flight Phase:
Site:
MSN:
20179
YOM:
1944
Country:
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
Operator:
Registration:
A65-73
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15923/32671
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
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
Operator:
Registration:
TC-31
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19659
YOM:
1944
Country:
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
Operator:
Registration:
6V-AAP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bamako – Abidjan
MSN:
20505
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
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
Operator:
Registration:
N74844
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Windsor Locks - Beverly
MSN:
15013/26458
YOM:
1944
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: