Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was engaged in a training flight with a group of six Dakota that left a local air base in the afternoon to complete a combined exercise. En route, while in a V formation, a C-47 registered 42-23786 and carrying a crew of four went off course and hit with its right wing the left wing of the C-53. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 19 miles west of Hemingford. All eight crew members in both aircraft were killed.

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

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-68761

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

11688

YOM:

1943

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While taking part to the invasion of Sicily during the 'Husky 1' operation, just after that all paratroopers jumped, the aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in a field. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO off Half Assini

Date & Time: May 27, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-47374

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

7316

YOM:

1942

Location:

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Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea some 2,5 km off Half Assini. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO near Karachi

Date & Time: May 26, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

41-20076

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

4846

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances 32 km east of Karachi. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 in Brookley AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-15534

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Mobile - Fort Benning

MSN:

7329

YOM:

1942

Location:

Brookley AFB (Mobile)

Alabama

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

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Circumstances:

Shortly after take off from Brookley AFB, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the Mobile Bay. Three crew were killed while two others were rescued. The crew was performing a training mission to Fort Benning.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skymaster in Hkashang Ga

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

41-20056

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4826

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper near Pang: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

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Schedule:

Dinjan – Kunming

MSN:

7407

YOM:

1942

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Circumstances:

One hour after departure from Dinjan, the crew encountered bad weather and severe icing conditions. While the aircraft continued to lose altitude, pilots realized they were facing a mountain. The captain made a sharp turn to the right when the left wing hit a rocky peak. The aircraft stalled and crashed at an altitude of about 4,200 metres. Injured, both pilots managed to escape and to find help. However, the aircraft was destroyed and the radio navigator was killed.
Crew:
C. Joseph Rosbert, pilot,
Ridge Hammell, copilot,
Y. T. Wong, radio operator. †

Crash of a Douglas C-53 near Fort Hertz: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kunming – Dinjan

MSN:

4853

YOM:

1942

Location:

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Circumstances:

En route from Kunming to Dinjan, while carrying a load of tin bars, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility due to heavy snow falls and turbulence. The airplane failed to arrive at destination and may have crashed somewhere in the region of Fort Hertz. Lost without trace.
Crew:
Orin Welch, pilot,
M. P. Hwang, copilot,
S. W. Hwang, radio operator.

Probable cause:

Weather.

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

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kunming – Dinjan

MSN:

4904

YOM:

1942

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The airplane was performing a cargo flight from Kunming to Dinjan, carrying a load of tungsten and three crew members. Due to the presence of Japanese forces along the normal route, the crew decided to follow another route passing over the Pianma Pass. In low visibility due to snow falls, the captain reduced his altitude to maintain a visual contact with the ground when the airplane contacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near the Pianma Pass, at the border between China and Burma. All three crew members were killed. In October 1996, the wreckage was found by hikers.
Crew:
Jim Fox, pilot,
L. Thom, copilot,
K. Wong, radio operator.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.