Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL on Mt El Boquerón: 20 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1980 at 1547 LT
Registration:
HK-1221G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Turbo – Medellín
MSN:
9703
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Turbo on a flight to Medellín, carrying employees of the Colombian Customs Services (Direccion General de Aduanas). While descending to the altitude of 9,500 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt El Boquerón located about 100 km northwest of Medellín Airport. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 20 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the mountain was shrouded by clouds.
Probable cause:
The crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC when the airplane struck the mountain. Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near San José del Guaviare

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1980 at 1338 LT
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1131
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
San José del Guaviare - Bogotá
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from San José del Guaviare Airport, the crew declared an emergency following an engine failure. The captain attempted an emergency landing on Mt Las Lajas when the airplane crash landed eight minutes after takeoff. All 23 occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK in Yaxchibal: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1980
Registration:
TG-BAC
Survivors:
No
MSN:
14330/25775
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Few minutes prior to its arrival at Flores Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a pasture located in Yaxchibal. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DK in the Mediterranean Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1980
Registration:
ECT-025
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Madrid - Perpignan - Frankfurt
MSN:
13375
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The DC-3 aircraft had been decommissioned by Spanish Air Force and stored at Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport. It was auctioned in July 1979 and bought by Kurfiss Aviation of Germany to become part of an aviation museum. The aircraft was then repaired by mechanics contracted by the new owner. A provisional, restricted Certificate of Airworthiness was issued to allow the airplane to be ferried to Frankfurt via Perpignan Airport (PGF). On the day of the ferry flight a VHF radio was installed but two-way communication could not be established. The departure was delayed until finally took off at 15:29 hours, without authorization, using a runway which was not rated for the weight of the DC-3 aircraft. There was no communication with the flight due to the radio problems. The aircraft presumably reached the zone of Barcelona in very low visibility conditions, due to both the hazy conditions and the diminishing daylight hours. The airplane did not arrive at Perpignan. A search operation was started but no sign of the plane was found. It is presumed to have crashed in the Mediterranean Sea.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Puerto Berrío: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1980 at 2130 LT
Registration:
HK-329
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Bogotá
MSN:
4404
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport at 1930LT on a cargo flight to Bogotá. About two hours later, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a wooded area located near Puerto Berrío. The wreckage was found few hours later and all three crew members were killed:
Crew:
Jaime Feged, pilot,
Arnovis Guarín, copilot,
Rafael Melo, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Loss of control while cruising in severe turbulences after one wing detached following rivets failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-23-DK in Asunción: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
2016
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Asunción – Ayolas
MSN:
15703/27148
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Asunción-Silvio Pettirossi Airport, the crew reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. The pilot-in-command completed a turn to reach the approach path when the airplane stalled and crashed onto houses located in the district of Lambaré, about 12 km southwest of the airport. All occupants were injured, one pilot was killed and there were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Guwahati: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
HJ235
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Guwahati Airport, killing all nine occupants.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in New Smyrna Beach

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1980 at 1647 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N45864
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New Smyrna Beach – Oranjestad
MSN:
9304
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at New Smyrna Beach Airport, en route to Oranjestad, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that veered off runway, collided with trees and burst into flames. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ground loop during takeoff run after the pilot failed to maintain directional control. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- Physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Pilot's blood level 1,5‰ ,
- Pilot did not have a type certificate and attempted flight without copilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK in North Sinai: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
4X-FNV/036
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
14865/26310
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Struck the slope of a mountain located in North Sinai, killing all four crew members.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in the Gulf of Thailand: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1980
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a training flight when it crashed in unknown circumstances in the Gulf of Thailand, about 96 km off the Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Two passengers were killed while 19 other occupants were rescued.