Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL off Mar del Plata: 10 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1959 at 2042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
LV-AFW
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Buenos Aires – Mar del Plata – Bahía Blanca
MSN:
19790
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
AR672
Location:
Mar del Plata
Buenos Aires province
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Mar del Plata-Brigadier General Bartolomé de la Colina Airport, while climbing, the pilot-in-command made a turn according to the procedures when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed into the sea some three km off shore. All ten occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, spatial disorientation on part of the pilot-in-command is suspected.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK near Palma de Majorca: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1959 at 2212 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Austria-Flugdienst
Registration:
OE-FDA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Palma de Majorca – Vienna
MSN:
13332
YOM:
1944
Location:
Palma de Mallorca
Balearic Islands
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Son Bonet Airport at Palma, the crew reported his altitude at 3,000 feet and obtained the permission to continue to 9,000 feet. About two minutes later, the airplane struck the slope of Alfabia Peak located 20 km north of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants have been killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced by night.
Probable cause:
It was concluded that the aircraft crashed as a result of insufficient altitude while flying at normal climb power.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK in Poitiers

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
F-BAII
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15105/25550
YOM:
1944
Location:
Poitiers
Vienne
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Poitiers-Biard Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few yards farther. While both crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL on Mt Cerro del Télégrafo: 28 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1959 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
EC-ABC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Barcelona – Madrid
MSN:
19334
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mt Cerro del Télégrafo (Sierra de Valdemeca)
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Barcelona-El Prat Airport at 1518LT bound for Barajas in Madrid. Due to poor weather conditions over the Calamocha area, ATC instructed the crew to modify his route. At 1656LT, a last radio contact was made with the crew and four minutes later, while cruising in low visibility, the airplane struck trees and crashed on the east slope of Mt Cerro del Télégrafo (1,900 meters high) located in the Sierra de Valdemeca, about 150 km east of Madrid. Thew wreckage was found 60 meters below the summit and all 28 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the airplane was about 600 meters below the prescribed altitude.
Probable cause:
Due to unfavourable weather conditions it was necessary to deviate from the planned route. The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL in Kerman

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
EP-ACL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9308
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kerman
Kermanshah
Country:
Iran
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Kerman-Sanandaj. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL off Lisbon: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
6150
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
19773
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lisbon
Estremadura - Lisbon District
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Lisbon-Portela de Sacavém Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed into the Tagus River. All 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-8 in Naples: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1959 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
17241
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Naples – Luqa
MSN:
43343
YOM:
1944
Location:
Naples
Campania
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Naples-Capodichino Airport, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a farmland. Three passengers and one worker on the ground were killed while 17 other occupants were injured. US Navy personnel and family members were on their way to Malta.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by an engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK in Port-au-Prince

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Haiti Air Force - Corps d'Aviation Haïti
Registration:
5878
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
16881/34137
YOM:
1945
Location:
Port-au-Prince
West
Country:
Haiti
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland. The aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest. All 28 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine after takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL near Silchar: 24 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1959 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VT-CGI
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Calcutta – Agartala – Silchar – Imphal
MSN:
20176
YOM:
1944
Location:
Silchar
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
While descending to Silchar Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy turbulences. The airplane nosed down and eventually crashed in a field located 56 km west of Silchar Airport. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all 24 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Structural failure occurred while the aircraft was flying through a thunderstorm. The failure originated in the port centre section and was due to loads which exceeded the ultimate design value for the structure. It was not possible to establish whether the pilot adopted the correct procedure for flying in turbulence.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK near Tobu: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1959 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VT-CYH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Jorhat - Noklok - Jorhat
MSN:
12493
YOM:
1944
Location:
Tobu
Nagaland
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Jorhat-Rowriah Airport on a supply-dropping mission to Noklok. En route, weather conditions deteriorated and the crew informed ground he was returning to Jorhat. Shortly later, while cruising in low visibility, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Naga Mountain Range. The wreckage was found near Tobu and two passengers were rescued while five other occupants were killed. The airplane was demolished.
Probable cause:
The aircraft crashed during an attempt by the pilot to clear high terrain under poor visibility conditions. He had previously descended to a low altitude in order to determine his position.
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