Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

HK-3031

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bogotá – Paipa

MSN:

10202

YOM:

1943

Location:

Bogotá-El Dorado

Bogotá Capital District

Country:

Colombia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency as the left engine failed. The captain initiated a left turn when the left wingtip struck tree tops. The aircraft lost speed and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons. The crew was able to feather the left propeller but the aircraft lost height during the last turn.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Sachigo Lake

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

C-GNNA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

12483

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft, with two crew members, two passengers, and a load of cargo, struck a 150-foot-high radio tower, while the crew was manoeuvring to land in poor weather. As the aircraft then became difficult to control, the crew carried out a wheels-up forced landing. During the landing, the cargo of drums containing automotive gasoline broke free, causing damage and trapping the passengers. Once the drums were moved, the passengers were able to leave the aircraft through the cockpit escape hatch. The pilot-in-command and a passenger were seriously injured. The Canadian Aviation Safety Board determined that the flight was continued into below VFR weather conditions. In addition, it was determined that the cargo had not been secured in accordance with the requirements of the company's operating certificate.

Probable cause:

The following findings were reported:
- The crew initiated a VFR flight based on weather forecasts indicating that suitable weather conditions would exist for the duration of the flight.
- En route weather conditions deteriorated below those required for VFR flight.
- The flight was continued into below VFR weather conditions.
- During an attempt to navigate using the automatic direction finding equipment and to maintain visual reference with the ground, the pilot manoeuvred at a low altitude, and the aircraft struck the NDB tower.
- A wheels-up forced landing was carried out because the crew was having difficulty controlling the aircraft and was uncertain about the damage sustained in the collision.
- The passenger's injuries would have been reduced had a shoulder harness been worn.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL off Cumana

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

YV-425C

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

4237

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a double engine failure in flight, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft that came to rest off Cumaná. There were no casualties while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas TC-47J near Naples

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N846MB

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Naples - Naples

MSN:

33305/16557

YOM:

1945

Location:

Naples

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While engaged in a mosquito control flight, the right engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed east of Naples. Both crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Registration to be confirmed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL in King Salmon

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1985 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N168Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Homer - King Salmon

MSN:

20850

YOM:

1944

Location:

King Salmon

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:

4250

Captain / Total hours on type:

1125.00

Aircraft flight hours:

18000

Circumstances:

During an instrument approach, the aircraft's right engine lost power. The pilot moved the right fuel selector to the left main tank and began emergency procedures. Shortly after that, the aircraft broke out of the overcast and the aircrew saw the airport. However, the left engine also lost power. The captain noted the fuel pressure was dropping and elected to land on tundra beside a road. During the landing, the aircraft was substantially damaged. No fuel was found in the aircraft during an exam of the fuel system. The captain noted that the left fuel cap was missing after the accident, but he did not see any fuel stains on the wing.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) preflight planning/preparation - improper - pilot in command
2. Fuel system, cap - separation
3. (f) fluid, fuel - siphoning
4. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
5. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL at Lop Buri AFB

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

L2-6/90

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site: