Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL near Puerto Aysén: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1963 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
953
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Coihaique – Pueto Aysén
MSN:
19465
YOM:
1944
Location:
Puerto Aysén
Región Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
While descending to Puerto Aysén on a flight from Coihaique-Teniente Vidal Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Pérez located 42 km from the airport. A passenger was seriously injured while 19 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas B-26C Invader in Piura: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Piura
Piura
Country:
Peru
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing two crew members, the pilot Raúl Lama Pérez and the mechanic, and injuring two others.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Tunja: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1963 at 1555 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-110
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
443
YOM:
1953
Location:
Tunja
Boyacá
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff from Tunka Airport for unknown reason. Three occupants were killed and one survived.

Crash of a Rockwell T-39A-1-NA Sabreliner at Andrews AFB

Date & Time: May 7, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
61-0644
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
265-47
YOM:
1962
Location:
Andrews AFB
Maryland
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:
Suffered an unclear accident upon landing at Andrews AFB. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a SNCAC NC.701 Martinet in Bordeaux: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1963
Type of aircraft:
SNCAC NC.701/702 Martinet
Operator:
Registration:
120
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
120
Location:
Bordeaux-Mérignac
Gironde
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While taking off from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. Two passengers were seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in the Sandia Mountains: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Andrews - March
Location:
Albuquerque
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a secret mission from Andrews AFB to March AFB. While overflying New Mexico, he encountered severe icing conditions. A wing fell off and the aircraft crashed in the Sandia Mountain Range located northeast of Albuquerque. All nine occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. All USAF C-47's were grounded following this accident, until the struts had been replaced.
Probable cause:
Investigations revealed that a wing's guy broke in flight, probably when the airplane was flying in an area subject to severe icing.

Crash of a De Havilland U-1A Otter in Sulaymānīyah: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1963
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Sulaymānīyah
As-Sulaymāniyyah (السليمانية)
Country:
Iraq
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Sulaymānīyah Airport, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft encountered downdraft, lost height and crashed. Both pilots were killed while the passenger was injured.
Crew:
Cpt Eugene H. Patton,
Pfc Carl H. Bell.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL off Fuerteventura: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1963 at 0311 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
T.3-44
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Las Palmas – Los Llanos
MSN:
19750
YOM:
1944
Location:
Fuerteventura
Canary Islands
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew departed Las Palmas-Gando Airport at 0227LT on a flight to the airbase of Los Llanos in Albacete. While approaching the island of Fuerteventura, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea some 44 minutes after takeoff. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the seven crew members was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the cause of the accident.

Crash of a Blackburn B-101 Beverley C.1 in El Adem: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Blackburn B-101 Beverley
Operator:
Registration:
XB268
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1011
YOM:
1956
Location:
El Adem
Butnan (البطنان)
Country:
Libya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While descending to El Adem, the crew was informed about weather conditions at destination and ATC suggested the captain to divert to another airport due to low visibility. In agreement with the rest of the crew, the captain decided to attempt an approach when on final, the copilot suggested him to go around. For unknown reason, the captain continued the approach and passed below the decision height when the aircraft struck the ground about 500 meters short of runway 27/09 threshold. Two crew members were seriously injured while five others occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong decision on part of the captain who decided to continue the approach in below minima weather conditions and failed to go around. Poor weather conditions were considered as a contributing factor.
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