Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper in Burbank

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1982
Operator:
Registration:
N163E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7394
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While rolling on a taxiway, the airplane went out of control and collided with a hangar. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper in Cali

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1981
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1128
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cali - Cali
MSN:
4824
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight at Cali-Palmaseca Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The captain attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed on a farm near the airport. All four occupants were injured while there were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D- DO Skytrooper in Cararú: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1981
Operator:
Registration:
HK-772
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11743
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On approach to runway 29 at Carurú Airport, the captain decided to make a low pass to inspect the surface condition when the right engine started vibrating. The engine was shut down and its propeller was feathered. The crew initiated a right turn to land on runway 11 when the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed about 500 meters short of runway. All three crew members and one passenger were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on final for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper in the Mediterranean Sea: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1981
Registration:
F-BJBY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oran - Toulouse
MSN:
7390
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Radar and radio contacts were lost while the aircraft was flying over the Mediterranean Sea on a flight from Oran to Toulouse. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned six days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the four occupants was found. It is believed that the aircraft crashed into the sea south of Balearic Islands.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper in Sebring: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1978 at 0500 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N25656
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4845
YOM:
1941
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
280
Circumstances:
After a night takeoff from Sebring Airfield, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height. It struck ground obstacles and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Gust locks engaged,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Aircraft improperly loaded,
- Pilot sel certificated,
- Elevator gust lock found in early part of crash path before break up.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-53 in Evansville: 29 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1977 at 1922 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N51071
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Indianapolis - Evansville - Nashville
MSN:
4837
YOM:
1941
Flight number:
Air Indiana 216
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
29
Captain / Total flying hours:
9100
Captain / Total hours on type:
4600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1330
Copilot / Total hours on type:
80
Aircraft flight hours:
19777
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a charter flight from Indianapolis to Nashville with an intermediate stop at Evansville Airport, carrying members of the University of Evansville basketball team and associated personnel. Takeoff from runway 18 was completed in marginal weather conditions with mist and light rain. After rotation, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn to the left when the airplane struck two trees located to the east of the airfield. Then the aircraft rolled to the right and crashed about a mile southeast from runway 18 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 29 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
An attempted take-off with the rudder and right aileron control locks installed, in combination with a rearward centre of gravity, which resulted in the aircraft's rotating to a nose-high attitude immediately after take-off, and entering the region of reversed command from which the pilot was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the flight crew to ensure that the passenger baggage was loaded in accordance with the configuration contained on the load manifest. Their failure resulted in a rearward centre of gravity that was aft of the optimum range, but forward of the rearmost limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper in Charlotte Amalie

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1977
Operator:
Registration:
N692A
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7318
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Landed hard at Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport for unknown reason. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper in Đà Lạt

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1973
Operator:
Registration:
EM-3
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11729
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight on behalf of China Airlines. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command encountered difficulties to decelerate properly and as the end of the runway was approaching, he decided to make a sharp turn to the left when the airplane skidded and struck an embankment before coming to rest. All nine occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D Skytrooper in Porto Marghera: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1973
Operator:
Registration:
MM61832
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Flight number:
Argo 16
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Porto Marghera, near Venice. All four crew members were killed. They were apparently involved in a special mission on behalf of the Italian Secret Services.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 in Pivijay

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1972 at 1225 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N39393
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Panama City - Oranjestad
MSN:
4943
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight from Panama City to Oranjestad, Aruba, the crew reported a smell of burning in the cabin and elected to divert to Pivijay Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown on a 850 meters long runway, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. It struck a perimeter fence and came to rest in a field. While both pilots were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Forced landing on airport following smell of burning in flight. The source of the fire could not be determined. It was reported that the crew landed too far down the runway, causing the braking distance to be insufficient.
Final Report: