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USA

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Newark: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Union Southern Airlines
Registration:
NC53196
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Louisville – Newark
MSN:
19435
YOM:
1944
Location:
Newark
New Jersey
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was approaching Newark Airport for landing. The airplane was too far to the right for an approach to runway 06 and the tower controller radioed that he was in line for an approach to runway 28. The approach was then made to runway 28 which is 7,100 feet long with an additional usable 500 feet at the end. The approach was fast, however and contact was not made with the runway until within the last 2,000 feet. The aircraft continued off the runway and ran into a drainage ditch where a fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished.
Source:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19470504-0

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Columbus: 8 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC49657
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Macon – Columbus
MSN:
9066
YOM:
1943
Location:
Columbus
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
11091
Captain / Total hours on type:
1800.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2899
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 05, while at a height of 10 feet, the DC-3 was hit by a private Vultee BT-13 registered NC55312 and carrying one pilot. Following the collision, both aircraft climbed to a height of 150 feet and then stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the pilot in the BT-13 to fly a standard left hand pattern in his approach to the airport and to Keep a diligent lookout for other traffic.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47D Skytrain in Kelly AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-49258
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kelly - Davis Monthan
MSN:
15074/26519
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kelly AFB (ex Brooks Field, San Antonio)
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Kelly AFB, an engine failed. The aircraft passed over few houses, stalled and crashed in a cotton field. A passenger was killed while all other occupants were rescued, some of them injured. The aircraft was written off. The crew was enroute to Davis Monthan carrying the members of a baseball team taking part to a tournament.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK near Decaturville: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
44-76231
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
15815/32563
YOM:
1945
Location:
Decaturville
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located about 5 miles west of Decaturville. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Palm Beach

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
International Air Freight
Registration:
N52710
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
19095
YOM:
1943
Location:
Palm Beach County Park-Lantana
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after rotation, the right engine failed. As the crew failed to feather the propeller, the aircraft stalled and crashed into a lake near the airport. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor near Kershaw: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
43-35792
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
6439
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kershaw
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in a pasture located 7 miles southeast of Kershaw while conducting a training sortie. All three crewmen were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Charleston: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
US Airlines
Registration:
NC88804
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint Petersburg – Charleston
MSN:
9921
YOM:
1943
Location:
Charleston-Intl
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Charleston Airport, the crew was informed by ATC that he was misaligned. At this time, the aircraft was on the left of the glide and at an insufficient altitude. Shortly later, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 1,266 yards short of runway threshold. Both crew members were killed.

Ground accident of a Douglas DC-3A-197E in Philadelphia

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC33646
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4125
YOM:
1941
Location:
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Ground accident. Exact circumstances unknown. No casualties but aircraft written off.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46E-1-CS in Denver: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
NC59486
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chicago – Omaha – Denver
MSN:
2944
YOM:
1945
Location:
Denver-Stapleton
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4999
Captain / Total hours on type:
605.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5542
Copilot / Total hours on type:
992
Aircraft flight hours:
2418
Circumstances:
While on final approach to runway 21 in poor weather conditions, the aircraft was too low and hit a hill located less than one mile from the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the momentary loss of control or overcontrol by the pilot at a critically low altitude in the final stages of an ILS approach. A contributing factor was the failure of the safety pilot to remain alert to the altitude of the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-45-DL in League City

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Atlantic & Pacific Airlines
Registration:
NC59398
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
9965
YOM:
1943
Location:
League City
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a solo flight when both engines failed simultaneously. He was able to restart both of them but they failed again shortly later. In such situation, he decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in a field in League City and was written off. The pilot was unhurt.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.
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