Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the crew ditched the aircraft into the sea. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

The crew intentionally ditched the aircraft for unknown reason. Investigations revealed there was no emergency landing needed and that the aircraft was capable to continue normal operations.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Manado

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

PK-ZDF

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

19648

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances near the Manado-Sam Ratulangi Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Prudhoe Bay

Date & Time: May 21, 1970 at 0040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Club Aire

Registration:

N75430

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Pingo – Fairbanks

MSN:

4490

YOM:

1942

Location:

Prudhoe Bay

Alaska

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8430

Captain / Total hours on type:

220.00

Circumstances:

En route to Fairbanks, while in cruising altitude, the crew encountered engine problems and was unable to maintain de prescribed altitude. He decided to perform an emergency landing in a snow covered ground when the airplane crash landed, slid for dozen yards and came to rest, broken in two. All three occupants were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls,
- Oil exhaustion, engine lubrication system,
- Improper/inadequate venting,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Initiated flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor icing,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- Idled engines too long prior to takeoff, condensation froze,
- Plugged lower breather pipe, oil went out top pipe.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL in Oncativo

Date & Time: May 10, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

T-17

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Oncativo - Oncativo

MSN:

20093

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was taking part to an airshow in Oncativo. While taking off from an open field, the left wing dropped and struck the ground. The aircraft stalled and crashed 40 meters further, losing its left engine. All 16 occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Tuy Hòa

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Winner Airways

Registration:

B-308

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

12790

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing on runway 03 at Tuy Hòa Airport, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest into the sea. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas EC-47P near Huế: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-48402

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

14218/25663

YOM:

1944

Location:

Huế

Thừa Thiên–Huế Province

Country:

Vietnam

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While in a mission in the A Shau Valley at an altitude of 5,500 feet, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire. An engine was losing oil and the crew decided to return to Huế Airport. Unable to maintain the minimum prescribed altitude, the captain elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed 32 km southwest of Huế. The captain and the flight engineer were killed while seven other occupants were injured.
Those killed were:
1st Lt George M. Wall,
S/Sgt Michael R. Conner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

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

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Air Taxi Company (Iran)

Registration:

EP-AGZ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

15423/26868

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After a takeoff roll of 450 meters, the pilot-in-command started the rotation. At liftoff, the airplane banked left, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane cartwheeled and crashed in flames. All 25 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew failed to follow pre take-off check-list and that the aircraft was not configured for departure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Melchor Ocampo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Aircraft Charters

Registration:

N163J

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Laredo - Fresnillo

MSN:

19402

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Laredo to Fresnillo, carrying a load of bottle of mercury. En route, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances near Melchor Ocampo. Both pilots were killed. According to the Mexican Authorities, the flight was illegal.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DK in Taipei: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

B-243

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

11832

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from runway 10 at Taipei-Songshan Airport, while climbing, the crew initiated a turn to heading 240 when the airplane struck a hill (374 meters high) located near the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both crew members were killed.