Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Ban Boum: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XW-TFC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Ban Boum. Both pilots were killed while the passenger survived.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-228C off Saint Martin

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1971 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1981W
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Christiansted - Sint Maarten
MSN:
2232
YOM:
1940
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5253
Captain / Total hours on type:
131.00
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Sint Maarten Island when he declared an emergency as both engines failed simultaneously. The captain elected to ditch the aircraft some 32 km offshore. All three occupants were quickly rescued by coast guards while the airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel starvation. The cause of the fuel starvation was undetermined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-414A in Sena Madureira: 32 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1971 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-CBV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sena Madureira - Rio Branco
MSN:
4977
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
SC332
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Sena Madureira Airport, while climbing, the pilot declared an emergency and elected to return following an engine failure. He completed a circuit at low altitude and while completing a turn to the right, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located few km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 32 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-6 near Pointe-à-Pitre: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
8P-AAC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Port of Spain – Marigot
MSN:
14918/26362
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The departure from Port of Spain was delayed for unknown reason and enroute, the crew was informed that the airport at Marigot was closed to traffic. The captain decided to divert to Pointe-à-Pitre-Le Raizet Airport. While descending by night, the crew failed to realize that his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area located on the volcano La Soufrière, some 25 km southwest of Pointe-à-Pitre. Both pilots were killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Mae Hong Son

Date & Time: May 7, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HS-TDE
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13794/25239
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, the airplane was too low and crashed in unclear circumstances short of runway. All 21 occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and none of them was injured. Nevertheless, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-6 in Nairobi

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
5Y-DCA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nairobi - Nairobi
MSN:
15288/26733
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a calibration mission at Nairobi-Wilson Airport when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances upon landing on runway 06. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members were unhurt.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Lubbock

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1971 at 1427 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N25
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lubbock - Lubbock
MSN:
10243
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7774
Captain / Total hours on type:
3364.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a check of the Lubbock Airport facilities. During the takeoff roll, the airplane became uncontrollable, veered off runway and came to rest with its undercarriage raised. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain directional control and failed to obtain/maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Improper level off,
- The aircraft veered with different engine power,
- The tailwheel was not locked.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Shawnee

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1971 at 1455 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N14273
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shawnee - Shawnee
MSN:
7366
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12190
Captain / Total hours on type:
1540.00
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a local sightseeing flight of a duration of eight minutes. Shortly after takeoff from runway 35, in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The crew reduced his altitude and elected to make an emergency landing when the right wing struck trees. The airplane lost height and crashed near a farm. All 29 occupants were evacuated, nine of them were wounded. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine after takeoff due to spark plug problems. The following factors were reported:
- Ignition system, spark plug,
- Material failure,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, weight and CofG,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Left engine n°3 cylinder rear spark plug center electrode missing,
- The aircraft was approximately 581 pounds over MTOW.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Lusaka

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9J-RDR
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14483/25928
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Ground looped on landing and was damaged beyond repair. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A near Mt Turrialba

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PP-CDH
Flight Phase:
Site:
MSN:
11730
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located near the Turrialba volcano while on a flight from Mexico City to Chile. The occupant's fate remains unknown.