Federal Aviation Administration - FAA

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

DuBois - Harrisburg

MSN:

4146

YOM:

1941

Location:

DuBois-Jefferson County

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

17177

Captain / Total hours on type:

3300.00

Aircraft flight hours:

13901

Circumstances:

While taking off from runway 25 at DuBois-Jefferson County Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway to the left, went down an embankment and came to rest in a wooded area. All 11 occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. The pilot, inexperienced and unqualified in the DC-3, was making the takeoff with a 7-knot crosswind and with an unlocked tailwheel.

Probable cause:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was loss of control at takeoff because of the inexperience of the unqualified pilot making the takeoff and because of the failure of the experienced pilot in the right seat to assume timely control. The accident sequence was initiated by the poor judgment of the pilot-in-command in allowing an unqualified pilot to make the takeoff and by the Regional Director's assuming the left seat which was contrary to his own operating rules to assure that this aircraft was operated by qualified pilots at their respective duty stations.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Lubbock

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1971 at 1427 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

N25

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lubbock - Lubbock

MSN:

10243

YOM:

1943

Location:

Lubbock

Texas

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7774

Captain / Total hours on type:

3364.00

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a check of the Lubbock Airport facilities. During the takeoff roll, the airplane became uncontrollable, veered off runway and came to rest with its undercarriage raised. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The crew failed to maintain directional control and failed to obtain/maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Improper level off,
- The aircraft veered with different engine power,
- The tailwheel was not locked.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in New York-LaGuardia

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1971 at 1832 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Johnstown - New York

MSN:

20426

YOM:

1944

Location:

New York-LaGuardia

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9711

Captain / Total hours on type:

112.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

9169

Copilot / Total hours on type:

470

Circumstances:

A Federal Aviation Administration Douglas C-47, N7, crashed approximately 2,000 feet short of the approach threshold of runway 06 at LaGuardia Airport, New York. The crew was attempting to fly an Instrument Landing System approach in instrument meteorological conditions at night. The LaGuardia weather reported 3 minutes after the accident was: '200 feet scattered, measured 300 broken, 600 overcast, visibility 1 1/2 mile, light rain, fog, wind 060° at 11 knots, altimeter 29.63 inches, runway 04, visibility variable to 3 miles.

Probable cause:

The board determines that the probable cause of this accident was: the failure of the pilot to recognize the windshear conditions and compensate for it; the lack of crew coordination in that the copilot did not monitory the approach due to a self-induces communications problem and failed to warn the pilot that the aircraft was too low; and the diversion of tho pilot's attention from his primary task of completing the approach and landing. These conditions resulted in a mismanaged ILS and landing approach and the continuation of the descent into ground obstructions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R4D-6 in Anchorage: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1970 at 1446 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

N47

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Anchorage - Anchorage

MSN:

16407/33155

YOM:

1945

Location:

Anchorage-Merrill Field

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Lockheed L-749 Constellation

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10401

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training flight. After takeoff from runway 24, while in initiale climb, the airplane suffered two consecutive stalls then banked left and right. It lost height and crashed in a huge explosion, killing both pilots.

Probable cause:

The crew failed to obtain/maintain flying speed and inadequate supervision of flight on part of the pilot-in-command. When control was lost, gear was down, flaps were 3/4 down and the rudder trim was positioned full left. The aircraft was observed entering three stalls, two stalls normal recovery.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-749A Constellation at Tachikawa AFB

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1966 at 1108 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N65

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Schedule:

Tachikawa - Tachikawa

MSN:

2648

YOM:

1950

Location:

Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo)

Kantō

Country:

Japan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11000

Captain / Total hours on type:

760.00

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a calibration flight at tachikawa AFB, Tokyo. On touchdown, the undercarriage collapsed and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest on the runway. While all five crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Lack of familiarity with aircraft on part of the pilot-in-command who failed to use or incorrectly used the miscellaneous equipment. The pilot made an engine out, no boost, landing due to hydraulic leak.
The following findings were reported:
- Improper level off,
- Improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls,
- Flight controls system, boost systems, hydraulic systems, reservoirs, lines, fittings leak or leakage,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Pittsburgh

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1965 at 1934 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N52

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh

MSN:

20419

YOM:

1944

Location:

Pittsburgh-Intl

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Lockheed L-1649 Starliner

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10570

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

The crew was performant the calibration of the ILS system at Pittsburgh-Greater Pittsburgh Airport. While approaching from the northeast, the engine stopped. The airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in Coraopolis, some 3 miles northeast of the airfield. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure caused by fuel starvation due to the left fuel selector valve poppet seal leakage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649 Starliner in Deer Valley

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

LV-GLI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Site:

MSN:

1008

YOM:

1957

Location:

Deer Valley

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was deliberately crashed on takeoff at Deer Valley Airport for a FAA experimental program. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft hit several obstacles and eventually crashed onto a hill, broken in three. Both wings and all four engine were sheared off at impact.
Special thanks to Chris Baird - www.arizonawrecks.com

Crash of a Douglas DC-7 in Washington DC

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1964 at 2102 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-7

Operator:

Registration:

N464

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Washington DC - Washington DC

MSN:

44127

YOM:

1953

Location:

Washington-Dulles

Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14375

Captain / Total hours on type:

260.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local test flight at Washington-Dulles Airport. Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All eight occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The crew failed to maintain directional control and the pilot-in-command made an inadequate supervision of flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7 in Deer Valley

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-7

Operator:

Registration:

N68N

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Site:

Desert

MSN:

44275/496

YOM:

1954

Location:

Deer Valley

Arizona

Country:

Region: