Douglas DC-3 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After takeoff from Cockburn Town Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane caught fire and crashed into the sea. A crew member was killed while two other occupants were injured. The exact source of fire in the cabin remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in San Vicente del Caguán: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1978 at 1350 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

HK-1351

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Neiva - San Vicente del Caguán

MSN:

42958

YOM:

1946

Location:

San Vicente del Caguán

Caquetá

Country:

Colombia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While descending to San Vicente del Caguán Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds. At an altitude of 6,800 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Granada covered by clouds. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Zouar: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Air Tchad

Registration:

TT-EAB

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

N'Djamena - Zouar

MSN:

9157

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching Zouar Airport, the twin engine airplane was shot down by a SAM-7 missile and crashed in a desert area. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Mr. Scabello, pilot,
Mr. N'Gama, navigator.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a SAM-7 missile.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-201D off Río Grande

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1978 at 0800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Aero Virgin Islands

Registration:

N15598

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Charlotte Amalie - San Juan

MSN:

2258

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3107

Captain / Total hours on type:

965.00

Circumstances:

En route from Charlotte Amalie to San Juan, while flying along the east coast of Puerto Rico, the left engine failed. The crew was attempting to feather the propeller when the right engine lost power. The captain reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane about 1,000 feet of the Río Grande district. All five occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and malfunction during normal cruise due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Complete engine failure,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Both fuel selectors on the right main tank that was empty,
- Fuel available in the left main tank.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Jimma: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1977 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

ET-ABF

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tippi - Jimma

MSN:

6069

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

31338

Circumstances:

While descending to Jimma Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds, rain showers and limited visibility. At an altitude of 8,000 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport and crashed. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Sheridan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1977 at 0535 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

N459

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sheridan - Sheridan

Location:

Ardoch

North Dakota

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:

8530

Captain / Total hours on type:

3000.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a crop spraying mission against grasshoppers in the region of Sheridan. While flying at a relative low altitude, the crew made a 45° turn when the airplane stalled, spiraled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during turnaround while the crew was flying into blind canyon. The following contributing factors were reported:
- inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Hilly terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near Newton

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1977 at 0030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Hall Mining Company

Registration:

N38AP

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

10217

YOM:

1943

Location:

Newton

Georgia

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot attempted to land by night on an unsuitable terrain located near Newton that was lighted by flashlights. Upon landing, the gear collapsed and the airplane crashed. The passenger was slightly injured while the pilot was seriously wounded. The aircraft was written off. This was probably a drug smuggling flight.

Probable cause:

Gear collapsed on landing after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and speed,
- Not aligned with the intended landing area,
- Intentional ground loop,
- Overload failure,
- Landing area lighted by flashlights.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-408 near Vero Beach

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Tony Perez

Registration:

N33649

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4809

YOM:

1941

Location:

Vero Beach

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 completing a drug smuggling flight, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Pickle Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Patricia Air Transport

Registration:

C-FBKV

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

4441

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Pickle Lake Airport, an engine caught fire. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed 5 km from the airfield. A pilot was seriously injured while the second occupant was killed. The crew was completing a cargo flight on behalf of Ontario Central Airlines.

Probable cause:

Engine fire after takeoff for unknown reasons.