Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Afghanistan

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YA-AAA
Flight Phase:
Site:
MSN:
4242
YOM:
1941
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located in the Logar Province. The exact date of the mishap remains unknown. The airplane crashed sometime in the year 1963.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3DST-144 in Ibicaré: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SLL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Joaçaba – Videira
MSN:
01500
YOM:
1936
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
On a short flight from Joaçaba to Videira, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with a low stratus and a limited visibility. While cruising under VFR rules, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Ibicaré, some 25 km southwest of Videira. The wreckage was found less than 10 meters below the summit and all 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C on Mt Ngatamahinerua: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1963 at 0909 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AYZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Whenuapai – Tauranga
MSN:
15204/26649
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
NZ441
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Captain / Total flying hours:
6639
Captain / Total hours on type:
5687.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10014
Copilot / Total hours on type:
6694
Aircraft flight hours:
18629
Circumstances:
While descending to Tauranga Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Ngatamahinerua located 30 km west of Tauranga Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 23 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A strong downward current in the lee of the Kaimai Range close to the Gordon quarry. This downward current carried the aircraft below the level of the crests of the range, where under the conditions prevailing at the time, the aircraft encountered an area of extreme turbulence in which it was impossible for the pilot to regain effective control and recover height. Contributory causes:
a) The captain of the aircraft was unaware of his true position and initiated a premature descent. However, it must be appreciated that he decided to descend only to the level officially designated as the minimum safe altitude in the area of his descent.
b) The decision of the Civil Aviation authorities to classify the Kaimai Range as non-mountainous terrain for the purpose of determining the safe altitude for the route.
c) The misleading forecast of the upper wind between Whenuapai and Tauranga.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 near Pathankot: 29 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1963 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-AUL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Amritsar – Srinagar
MSN:
20265
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
29
Captain / Total hours on type:
2700.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
4000
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a scheduled domestic flight from Amritsar to Srinagar. It took off at 1115LT with 29 persons on board and 7 minutes later it reported its position 25 miles from Amritsar. No further communication was received from the aircraft. Shortly after 1200 hours a report was received by telephone at Amritsar, stating that the aircraft had crashed in a field near the Sarna railway station, about five miles west from Pathankot. The crash took place at a point where the aircraft had to make a left turn of 70° to proceed on its normal course to Srinagar. Eyewitness evidence indicates that the aircraft made a left turn, went out of control and lost height rapidly. It then attained a climbing attitude, broke up and crashed to the ground, catching fire on impact. All 29 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by structural failure of the aircraft in the air following overstressing as a result of loss of control. The loss of control was caused by improper rigging of the rudder bungee system which helps to prevent the marked tendency of the rudder of the Hiper Dakota to reverse or lock under conditions of yawed turn and/or encountering a severe side gust. It is equally likely that malfunctioning or improper operation of the autopilot may have initiated a yaw and accentuated the tendency of the rudder to lock.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Az Zahawiyyin: 34 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SU-AJX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cairo – Alexandria
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
34
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Cairo-Intl Airport, while climbing in a sandstorm, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an orange plantation located in Az Zahawiyyin, some 18 km north of the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 34 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-201E in Hachijō-jima

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA5039
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
03253
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing at Hachijō-jima Airport for unknown reason. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Kasongo

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CUS
Flight Phase:
MSN:
43092
YOM:
1947
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Kasongo Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck trees, stalled and crashed. The occupant's fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-191 in Herzogenaurach

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N16067
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1907
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Herzogenaurach Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. Both crew members were slightly injured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Cagayán de Oro

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PI-C485
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing and came to rest in flames. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.