Sichuan | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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 DC-2-118A in Chengdu

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1936

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-2

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

1600

YOM:

1935

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair while all occupants evacuated safely. The captain was Hiram Broiles.