Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

PP-SLL

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Joaçaba – Videira

MSN:

01500

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Whenuapai – Tauranga

MSN:

15204/26649

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

NZ441

Location:

Mt Ngatamahinerua

Waikato Regional Council

Country:

New Zealand

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Amritsar – Srinagar

MSN:

20265

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cairo – Alexandria

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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-3A-SC13G in Sendai

Date & Time: May 10, 1963

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

JA5040

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

MSN:

6349

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Suffered a ground accident at Sendai Airport. There were no casualties.

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

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1963

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

JA5039

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

MSN:

03253

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Site:

Democratic Republic of Congo

MSN:

43092

YOM:

1947

Location:

Kasongo

Maniema

Country:

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Flugtransport

Registration:

N16067

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site: