Crash of a Douglas C-49J near Colorado Springs: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-1989
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
6344
YOM:
1943
Location:
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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 unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located 15 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-49G-DO near Austin-del Valle AFB

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-56614
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Austin-del Valle - Austin-del Valle
MSN:
1948
YOM:
1937
Location:
Austin-Bergstrom
Texas
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:
En route, the crew encountered technical problems with one or more engine and attempted to make an emergency landing 31 miles northwest of Austin-del Valle AFB. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair but there were no casualties. Austin-del Valle AFB was renamed Bergström AFB two months later.
Probable cause:
Engine problems.

Crash of a Douglas C-49D near Waller AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-7718
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4143
YOM:
1941
Location:
Waller AFB
All Trinidad and Tobago
Country:
Trinidad and Tobago
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
At least one crew member was killed when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances north of Waller AFB, some 10 km east of Piarco Airport.

Crash of a Douglas C-49E in Premier: 21 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1942 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-56093
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Battle Creek – Cincinnati – Florence
MSN:
1976
YOM:
1937
Location:
Premier
West Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
While approaching Cincinnati-Lunken Field Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew made three attempts to land without success. During the fourth attempt, the aircraft speed was too high and it hit hard the runway surface. The captain increased engine power and decided to continue to Florence, South Carolina. Few minutes later, while cruising in poor weather conditions (thunderstorm and turbulence), the aircraft banked left and right and eventually went out of control. From a height of 250 metres, it lost successively part of its wings and elevators, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and all 21 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
According to the Board of investigations, it appears the aircraft lost parts of wings and elevators when it dove into the ground, most probably due to forces exceeding their design and certification. For undetermined reasons, the captain decided to continue the flight to Florence following a missed landing at Cincinnati Airport. Due to a heavy landing, the wings' and elevators' structure was slightly damaged and moderate to severe turbulence in the region also contributed to the wings' and elevator' structural weakness. Poor discipline and judgment is also reproached to both pilots as they should complete the landing procedure at Cincinnati and perform an inspection of the aircraft, which was not performed. Eventually, accumulation of ice on carburetors associated to a certain torsion during the hard landing was considered as a contributory factor as the carburetors did not work properly during the last segment of the flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-49F-DO in Volk Field ANGB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-56621
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Volk Field - Volk Field
MSN:
1932
YOM:
1937
Location:
Volk Field ANGB (Camp Williams)
Wisconsin
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:
While flying in the vicinity of the Volk Field ANGB (Camp Williams) located near Camp Douglas, the C-49 collided with a USAF C-48 registered 42-56611. While the second aircraft was able to land safely, the first went out of control and crashed, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Douglas C-49H in Freetown

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-38254
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1993
YOM:
1937
Location:
Freetown-Hastings
Western Area
Country:
Sierra Leone
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off from Freetown-Hastings Airport for unknown reason. Crew fate unknown.
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