Johannesburg – Salisbury – Brazzaville – Algiers – Nice – Paris

The aircraft was operating UAT scheduled service UT736 from Johannesburg to Paris. It took off from Salisbury Airport at 1252LT for Brazzaville and during takeoff from runway 24 entered rain. The aircraft climbed to about 50 feet and then began to lose airspeed and height. Although the captain was using full power, had 20" of flap extended and the undercarriage retracted, he was unable to prevent the aircraft sinking back on to the ground. Fire broke out immediately after impact. Of the 7 crew and 63 passengers on board, three passengers were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Johannesburg – Salisbury – Brazzaville – Algiers – Nice – Paris

Aircraft

Douglas DC-6

Registration

F-BGTZ

MSN

43827/337

Year of Manufacture

1953

Date

December 26, 1958 at 12:52 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Harare Harare Province

Region

Africa • Zimbabwe

Coordinates

-17.8261°, 31.0495°

Crash Cause

Weather

Narrative Report

On December 26, 1958 at 12:52 PM, Johannesburg – Salisbury – Brazzaville – Algiers – Nice – Paris experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-6, operated by Union Aéromaritime de Transport - UAT, with the event recorded near Harare Harare Province.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

70 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 67 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 4.3%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 63, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. The aircraft was operating UAT scheduled service UT736 from Johannesburg to Paris. It took off from Salisbury Airport at 1252LT for Brazzaville and during takeoff from runway 24 entered rain. The aircraft climbed to about 50 feet and then began to lose airspeed and height. Although the captain was using full power, had 20" of flap extended and the undercarriage retracted, he was unable to prevent the aircraft sinking back on to the ground. Fire broke out immediately after impact. Of the 7 crew and 63 passengers on board, three passengers were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration F-BGTZ, MSN 43827/337, year of manufacture 1953.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -17.8261°, 31.0495°.

Fatalities

Total

3

Crew

0

Passengers

3

Other

0

Crash Summary

The aircraft was operating UAT scheduled service UT736 from Johannesburg to Paris. It took off from Salisbury Airport at 1252LT for Brazzaville and during takeoff from runway 24 entered rain. The aircraft climbed to about 50 feet and then began to lose airspeed and height. Although the captain was using full power, had 20" of flap extended and the undercarriage retracted, he was unable to prevent the aircraft sinking back on to the ground. Fire broke out immediately after impact. Of the 7 crew and 63 passengers on board, three passengers were killed.

Cause: Weather

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

7

Passengers On Board

63

Estimated Survivors

67

Fatality Rate

4.3%

Known people on board: 70

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Johannesburg – Salisbury – Brazzaville – Algiers – Nice – Paris

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Africa • Zimbabwe

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Douglas DC-6

Registration

F-BGTZ

MSN

43827/337

Year of Manufacture

1953

Similar Plane Crashes

March 6, 1920 at 12:00 AM

South African Air Force

Vickers FB.27 Vimy Commercial

On approach to Bulawayo, Matabeleland, the crew encountered problems and the aircraft crashed. Both occupants, engaged in a cross country flight to Cape Town, South Africa, were injured and the aircraft named 'Silver Queen II' was destroyed. Crew: Lt Col Pierre van Ryneveld, Lt Christopher Joseph Quintin-Brand.

November 20, 1931 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

The Rhodesian Aviation Company

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Shortly after takeoff from Bulawayo Airport, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed, killing both occupants. Crew: Lt Daniel S. Judson, pilot. Passenger: Jock Speight.

November 17, 1932 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

Hal Roach Studios

Lockheed 9 Orion

The airplane was engaged in an aerial cinematography flight on behalf of the MGM Studios. The pilot Arthur Dickson was piloting and both passengers were the MGM's President Arthur Loew and his lawyer. For unknown reasons, the pilot mistakenly landed at Victoria Falls Airport instead of Livingstone. While trying to take off from a soft sandy field, the airplane overturned and crashed into trees. Both passengers were injured and the pilot was killed.

December 20, 1938 at 12:00 AM

Rhodesian %26 Nyasaland Airways

De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

April 24, 1942 at 12:00 AM

Royal Air Force - RAF

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Both pilots were engaged in a training flight on behalf of the 21st Army Training School. En route, the twin engine aircraft collided with birds that hit the right wing and the right engine. The crew was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. On touch down, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both crew escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

August 4, 1942 at 12:00 AM

Rhodesian %26 Nyasaland Airways

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

Shortly after take off from Bulawayo, while in initial climb, the aircraft crashed for unknown reason. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was wrecked.