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Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in China: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
90
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dinjan - Kunming
MSN:
19314
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the aircraft encountered turbulence, lost at least 1,000 feet, hit a mountain slope and was wrecked. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft lost 1,000 feet while cruising in turbulence and poor weather conditions, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). The pilot was completing this flight for the first time as a captain.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 near Kunming

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
51
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Dinjan - Kunming
MSN:
4879
YOM:
1942
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew left Dinjan on a cargo flight to Kunming. While cruising some 100 miles from his destination, the crew torn off all communication systems so the Japanese forces based in the region were unable to catch any message. One hour later, while flying in poor weather conditions, the crew torn on the communication systems but the aircraft was off course. Crew tried to localize his position but after a flight of 11 hours and 25 minutes, was unable to locate the airport of Kunming so he decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. While the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed, all three crew were rescued.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Hangzhou: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
91
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
19452
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Hangzhou, aircraft encountered problems to gain height. The twin engine aircraft hit trees, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and both pilots were killed. Crew was completing a cargo flight with a cargo consisting of alcohol boxes.
Probable cause:
Aircraft was unable to climb after takeoff because its total weight was well above the MTOW.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Lijiang: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
75
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dinjan - Kunming
MSN:
9416
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route, crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to reduced his altitude to avoid an icing area. While cruising at low altitude in clouds, aircraft hit a peak with its left wing and crashed downwards on the slope of the mountains. The wreckage and both dead bodies were found seven months later.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Dinjan

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
57
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4883
YOM:
1942
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During takeoff run in Dinjan, aircraft failed to rotate, overrun, came to rest into trees in flames. All three crew were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
According to officials, pilots were distracted and did not prepare the flight correctly. Therefore, they increased the power of the engine for takeoff but did not decide whom would proceed to rotate.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL in Suifu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
83
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dinjan - Suifu
MSN:
10159
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Suifu Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew was unable to locate the airport. While flying below minimums, the captain decided to make a go around when the aircraft hit a rocky peak and crashed in a huge explosion less than 50 meters from the top of the mountain. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
According to officials, the accident was not caused by an error on part of the crew but by the fact that the authorities of the Suifu Airport failed to inform the company's operations that the main radio beacon of the airport has been relocated two days prior to the accident. Therefore, the crew continued the approach in reference to a radio beacon's position that was incorrect. Thus, the crew was following a wrong approach pattern. The lack of visibility caused by the poor weather conditions remains a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Kunming: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
63
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
6034
YOM:
1942
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight to Kunming-Wujiaba Airport. On final approach by night and in poor weather conditions, the crew was unable to localize the airport due to heavy rain falls. In addition to a high workload in the cockpit due to the preceding factors, crew encountered technical problems with the landing gear that could not be deployed properly. The captain decided to abort the landing procedure, increased the engine power and completed a low pass over the airport before attempting a second approach. In a certain confusion, he followed the wrong heading and continued bound to the west. Few minutes later, the aircraft hit a mountain slope near the airport and was destroyed by impact forces. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 in Kunming: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
59
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7406
YOM:
1942
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight with a load of bank notes. On final approach to Kunming, the visibility was low due to heavy rain falls and a cloud layer at 100 feet. The aircraft hit the ground hundreds yards short of runway, broke into several pieces and burned. The copilot was injured while both other occupants were killed. Thousands of bank notes were found on a large area.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DL in Kunming

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
84
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10158
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the right engine caught fire. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing but the aircraft stalled and crashed. While the aircraft was destroyed, both pilots were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.