Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DK in Monte Argentario: 13 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 31, 1948 at 1752 LT
Registration:
ZS-BYX
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Athens – Nice
MSN:
12587
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
While flying over the Ligurian Sea en route from Athens to Nice, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the captain decided to divert to Rome-Ciampino. The aircraft overflew the Orbetello lagoon and then went through low clouds when it hit the slope of a mountain located near Monte Argentario. The aircraft was destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed. The airplane was performing a charter flight on behalf of the British operator Scott Gordon Aviator.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain. Poor visibility caused by low clouds was considered as a contributory factor.
