Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

PT-BJC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

19214

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Belém, killing both pilots. The airplane was owned by C. E. Campos.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK in Bizana: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1961

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

6856

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

16625/33373

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Bizana, killing all five crew members.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK into the Java Sea: 26 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1961 at 2350 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PK-GDY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Surabaya – Balikpapan

MSN:

13052

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

GA542

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

18829

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Surabaya-Juanda Airport in the evening bound for Balikpapan. While in cruising altitude, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and crashed into the Java Sea. SAR were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 26 occupants was found. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL on Mt Burangrang: 21 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1961 at 1048 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PK-GDI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Jakarta – Bandung – Yogjakarta – Surabaya

MSN:

19672

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

GA424

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Jakarta Airport at 1009LT on a flight to Surabaya with intermediate stop at Bandung and Yogjakarta. The crew continued at 3,500 feet and received the permission to climb to 9,500 feet at 1043LT. At this time, the crew was requested to contact Bandung Tower. Five minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 5,400 feet, the airplane struck the west slope of Mt Burangrang. The wreckage was found four days later and all 21 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The attempt by the pilot to fly over mountainous terrain when unsure of his position and in weather conditions which severely restricted visibility.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Koivulahti: 25 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1961 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

OH-LCC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Kokkola-Pietarsaari – Vaasa

MSN:

14066/25511

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

AY311

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5887

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2737

Circumstances:

While approaching Vaasa Airport by night, the pilot-in-command completed a last turn to join the runway approach path when the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located in Koivulahti, about 10,5 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all 25 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The probable cause of the accident was the wrong execution of a left turn at low altitude at night, as a result of which the aircraft stalled, lost its maneuverability and went into a spin. Contributing factor: As a consequence of having had alcoholic drinks and insufficient sleep the night before the accident, the pilot was not considered to be in a satisfactory mental and physical condition to undertake the flight. For the same reason, the copilot should not have been allowed to start on the flight in question.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK off Biak: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1961 at 2017 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

079

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Biak - Biak

MSN:

16537/33285

YOM:

1945

Location:

Biak

Special Region of Papua

Country:

Indonesia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was involved in a night training mission and departed Biak-Boroekoe NAS at 1837LT. After practicing approach and landings, the crew had to activate light torches off the coast of Biak. The airplane flew along the coast line at an altitude of 3500-4000 feet. One of these torches activated inside the aircraft and an in-flight fire erupted. The crew attempted to carry out an emergency landing at sea but the airplane crashed. All five crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

In-flight fire caused by a light torche.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Cebu City: 28 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1960 at 1131 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PI-C126

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Manila – Cebu City – Davao City

MSN:

20593

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

PR085

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

18611

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff from runway 03, while in initial climb, the captain informed ATC about the failure of the left engine. He received the permission to return for an emergency landing but the airplane stalled, banked left and crashed in a huge explosion about 4 km from the airfield. Both pilots and 26 passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by the malfunctioning of the left engine shortly after take-off but after V2 (the takeoff safety speed). Contributing factors were:
- The darkness of the night which limited the visibility of the pilot during the emergency,
- The inappropriate emergency procedure(s) carried out, or resorted to by the pilot.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK off Sydney: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VH-INI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Sydney - Sydney

MSN:

12252

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training flight out from Sydney Airport. En route, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 24 km off shore. Some debris were found the following morning at 0700LT while the main wreckage sank by a important depth. No trace of the crew was ever found.
Crew:
Cpt R. Thomas,
F/O G. Thom,
F/O L. Campbell.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the accident.

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

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

VP-BBN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type: