Crash of a Douglas DC-4 near Valledupar: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Carrying a load of marijuana, the four engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Valledupar. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in Bottle Creek

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1978 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N88909
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10466
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bottle Creek Airport, the four engine airplane was too low and struck the ground short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane landed on its belly and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 near Faya-Largeau

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1978 at 0630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TT-NAA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
N’Djamena – Faya-Largeau
MSN:
42936
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed N'Djamena Airport at 0530LT on a flight to Faya-Largeau, carrying a crew of five, 21 fuel drums and various military equipment. While descending to Faya-Largeau and flying at a relative low altitude, the airplane was struck by a SAM-7 missile that hit the engine n°2. The engine caught fire and detached, followed shortly later by the engine n°1. The captain reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located about 55 km west of Faya-Largeau. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a SAM-7 missile.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in Arauca

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-654
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
18391
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Arauca-Santiago Pérez Quiroz Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its nose for dozen meters before coming to rest. All eight occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the nose gear for unknown reason.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 near Tame: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1975 at 1935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1309
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Cúcuta – Tame
MSN:
10403
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Cúcuta-Camilo Daza Airport at 1830LT on a cargo flight to Tame. While descending to Tame-General Gabriel Vargas Santos Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds. At an altitude of 2,300 feet, the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 32 km northwest of Tame Airport. The wreckage was found two days later and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew initiated the descent prematurely. The lack of visibility caused by poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in El Libano: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1974 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-728
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá - Barranquilla
MSN:
10507
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 12,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the four engine airplane stuck the slope of a mountain located near El Libano, about 140 km north of Bogotá. All three crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the mountain was shrouded in clouds.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in Gemena

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CBH
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
43095
YOM:
1947
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 29 at Gemena Airport, during the last segment, the four engine airplane lost height and struck the ground 100 meters short of runway threshold. The airplane went out of control and crash landed. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft lost height on short final after being caught by downdrafts.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in Gaborone: 78 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1974 at 0235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A2-ZER
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gaborone - Lilongwe
MSN:
27242
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Gaborone-Seretse Khama Airport, the crew encountered problems with all four engines that lost power and backfired. Unable to gain sufficient height, the aircraft struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in flames 3,600 meters past the runway end, two minutes after liftoff. A crew member and five passengers were rescued while 78 other occupants were killed. Most of the passengers were employees of South African Mining Company returning home.
Probable cause:
It was determined that all four engines lost power during initial climb due to fuel contamination. Investigations revealed that the aircraft was refueled with Avgas but confusion by ground personnel at Gaborone Airport caused Jet A1 to be transferred in an Avgas fuel tank. This caused the aircraft to be fueled with Avgas contaminated with 25-30% of Jet A1.

Ground fire of a Douglas DC-4 in Lago Agrio

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-ANP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
22149
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
20413
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was destroyed by fire at Lago Agrio Airport. The mishap occurred in unknown circumstances at an unknown date during 1969. Some unofficial reports says the fire was intentionally set.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 into the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N3821
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Halifax - Santa Maria
MSN:
10356
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
17500
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight from Halifax to Santa Maria, Azores Islands, the four engine aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the three crew members was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report: