Crash of a Douglas DC-3-65TP in Lokichoggio

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-KCV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15268/26713
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a humanitarian flight on behalf of Unicef. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, it went out of control and crashed on a parking lot. It was destroyed and all four occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew forgot to unlock the tail prior to departure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Barranco Minas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3220
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Felipe - Villavicencio
MSN:
11808
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Felipe, Guainía, to Villavicencio, carrying three passengers, three crew members and a load of straw. En route, one of the engine failed and the crew decided to divert to Barranco Minas Airport. After touchdown on runway 27, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and plunged in the Río Guaviare. Four people were rescued while the bodies of the copilot and the flight engineer disappeared in the river.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-65TP in Jamba: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1992 at 2232 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-DHX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jamba - Pretoria
MSN:
15908/32656
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Jamba Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft rolled to the right, causing the right wing to struck trees. The airplane lost height and crashed near the runway end. All 14 passengers were injured and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The copilot was the PIC at the time of the accident. It was reported that engine power was reduced shortly after liftoff and the copilot asked the captain to raise the flaps and to switch off the approach light just after rotation. The assumption that the PIC suffered a spatial disorientation at liftoff was not ruled out.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Masai Mara

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-BBN
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16097/32845
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident upon landing on an airport somewhere in the Masai Mara National Reserve. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Heidelberg: 28 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1991 at 1137 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-CCCC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Egelsbach - Egelsbach
MSN:
7353
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Egelsbach Airport in the middle morning on a local charter flight, carrying 29 passengers and a crew of three, among them a team who should make a TV movie on board. In flight, the captain left his seat and passengers came in the cockpit. The copilot was supposed to follow the Rhine River but distracted by discussions with the passengers, he mistook the Rhine with the Neckar River. Few minutes later, weather conditions deteriorated and the copilot decided to continue instead of returning. At an altitude of about 500 metres, he initiated a left turn when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located in the forest of Hoher Nistler, about 5 km northeast of Heidelberg. Four passengers were seriously injured while 28 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident occured in IMC conditions and the pilot mistook both Rhine and Neckar rivers while flying at a relative low altitude. The following factors were reported:
- Poor crew coordination,
- The crew failed to return,
- Poor visibility,
- The total weight of the aircraft was above MTOW,
- The CofG was out of permissible limit.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-201D near Puerto Plata

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1991 at 1645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N102AP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Samana - Puerto Plata
MSN:
2257
YOM:
1940
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Puerto Plata-La Union Airport, the right engine failed. Cleared to land on runway 08, the crew initiated a go-around procedure for unclear reasons. While climbing, the left engine lost power and failed so the crew attempted an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft crash landed in a sugar cane field and came to rest. All 35 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3R in Palma de Mallorca

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1991 at 0712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EC-EQH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Palma de Majorque – Mahón
MSN:
16310/33058
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Palma Airport, the crew lost control of the aircraft that veered off runway to the left, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damages beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL at Basilio Fernando AFB

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RP-C140
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Roxas City - Manila
MSN:
19253
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Roxas City to Manila on a cargo flight, the crew encountered vibrations on the right engine and decided to divert to Basilio Fernando AFB for an emergency landing. On final approach, the aircraft crash landed in a field located few km short of runway. All three occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine problems from unknown source.

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

Date & Time: May 19, 1990 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1FN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Martinsburg - Winchester
MSN:
11685
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
34906
Circumstances:
While spraying gypsy moths with dimilin over wooded/hilly terrain, the DC-3 collided with power lines in a valley area. Witnesses in an nearby observation aircraft reported the DC-3 entered a gradual climb, which continued until the DC-3 was in a steep nose high attitude. The pilot of the observation aircraft tried to communicate with the DC-3 pilots, but could not make radio contact. The observation pilot reported the DC-3 entered a stall/spin at about 1,200 feet agl, then crashed. An investigation revealed no evidence of a preimpact failure. The DC-3 was not equipped with a wire cutter kit. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of the DC-3, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid the powerlines. Factors related to the accident were: the obstruction (transmission wires), and the lack of visual cues for the pilots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C off San Juan

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RP-C14
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14643/26088
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea 100 meters offshore. All five occupants were rescued.