Mason City | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane was in a normal appearing climb after takeoff when it pitched up to a 70° to 80° attitude, stalled, dropped the right wing, then leveled the wings and hit the ground in a near-flat attitude. The weight and cg were within limits. No preimpact problems were found that could cause an inadvertent pitchup. Pilot's only memory is that he couldn't get the control column far enough forward to stop the pitchup. The pilot's seat was found in the full forward position with the right locking pin in the locking hole and the left pin 1/4th of an inch forward of the front locking hole. There were no visible marks on either of the locking pins. Deep scratches were found on the sides of the rail where the seat attachments normally slide back and forth when the seat is adjusted. Exam of the outboard side recessed surface near the aft end disclosed what appeared to be a fresh scratch. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) fuselage, seat - unlocked
2. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
3. (f) pull-up - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
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Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Mason City: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1954 at 1703 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

N61451

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Memphis – Little Rock – Fort Smith – Muskogee – Tulsa – Kansas City – Des Moines – Waterloo – Mason City – Austin – Rochester – Minneapolis

MSN:

4630

YOM:

1942

Flight number:

BN152

Location:

Mason City

Iowa

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:

11077

Captain / Total hours on type:

8000.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

5682

Copilot / Total hours on type:

2700

Aircraft flight hours:

23062

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was that the flight while endeavouring to traverse a thunderstorm area encountered very heavy rain, divergent winds, and strong downdrafts that forced the aircraft to the ground. The following findings were reported:
- The flight was observed to enter and disappear in a thunderstorm,
- The aircraft crashed in an area where severe storm ground damage occurred,
- The US Weather Bureau Kansas City received the USAF severe weather advisories but considered their forecast in effect at the time to be adequate,
- The weather forecast issued by the Weather Bureau and Braniff did not indicate the severity of the storm that was encountered.

Final Report: