5878

Just after takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland. The aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest. All 28 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Flight / Schedule

5878

Registration

5878

MSN

16881/34137

Year of Manufacture

1945

Date

March 31, 1959 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Port-au-Prince West

Region

Central America • Haiti

Coordinates

18.5484°, -72.3457°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On March 31, 1959 at 12:00 AM, 5878 experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Haiti Air Force - Corps d'Aviation Haïti, with the event recorded near Port-au-Prince West.

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

28 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 28 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 25, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Just after takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland. The aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest. All 28 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration 5878, MSN 16881/34137, year of manufacture 1945.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 18.5484°, -72.3457°.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

Just after takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland. The aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest. All 28 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

25

Estimated Survivors

28

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 28

Operational Details

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Central America • Haiti

Aircraft Details

Registration

5878

MSN

16881/34137

Year of Manufacture

1945

Similar Plane Crashes

May 28, 1942 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Vichy while on a delivery flight. No casualties.

May 30, 1942 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed into the Antillean Sea, off Jamaica, in unknown circumstances. Crew fate remains unknown.

August 23, 1942 at 12:00 AM12 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew was performing a personnel transport from Prestwick to RAF Atcham on behalf of the 64th Transport Group. While flying northeast of Denbigh, the pilot encountered cloudy conditions and the visibility was poor. While flying too low, the aircraft hit the north slope of Mt Moel y Gaer located near Bodfari and was destroyed upon impact. A passenger was seriously injured while all 12 other occupants were killed. Crew (64th TG): 1st Lt Charles Edward Williams, pilot, 1st Lt Richard Pazder, navigator, 2nd Lt Theodore F. Furness Jr., 2nd Lt Morris B. Penner. Passengers: Pvt Harry R. Adams, T/Sgt Jonathan B. Akers, T/Sgt Robert E. Anderson, T/Sgt Isreal Gross, T/Sgt Herman A. Hermes, T/Sgt Raymond S. Nash, T/Sgt Jesse L. Patterson, T/Sgt George A. Lesikar.

August 23, 1942 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crash on landing in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

September 19, 1942 at 12:00 AM7 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

En route, the aircraft hit the slope of Blue Mountain located west of Blairstown, in the Kittatinny Mountain Range. The wreckage was located 100 feet from the summit, at an altitude of 1,500 feet, and all seven crew members were killed.

November 10, 1942 at 01:30 PM17 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Christened 'The Flying Dutchman', the aircraft was flying from Port Moresby to Pongani on behalf of the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron's to deliver supplies and troops from the 32nd Infantry Division and the 126th Infantry Regiment. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the aircraft encountered severe downdrafts, lost altitude and hit the slope of Mt Obree, in the center of PNG. Of the twenty-three aboard, seventeen survived the crash. Many had serious injuries and burns, and died afterwards waiting for help. Eventually, some of the survivors found help and only six survived. The wreckage was rediscovered during an air search mission for a missing Piaggio on March 8, 1961. The airplane has the dual registration VH-CCU and 41-18564. Crew: 2nd Lt George W. Vandervort, pilot, † Cpt Theodore W. Barron, † T/Sgt Stephen J. Pitch, flight engineer, † Sgt George B. Kershner, radio operator. Passengers: Sgt James M. Verstay, † Pvt Vernon R. Moak, † Pvt Charles W. Raddatz, † Pvt Charles I. Stokes, † Pvt Margarito Padilla, † Pvt Carlos D. Failin, † Pfc Gerald M. Grove, † Pfc Frank A. Thomas, Jr., Pvt Duane R. Butler, Sgt Edward K. Holleman, Pvt Floyd L. August, Pvt John W. Mobley, Tec Lawrence E. Peterson, † Pvt John J. Bellus, † Pfc Malvern E. Patton, † Pvt Theodore Romero, † Pfc William L. Smith, † Pvt Martin J. Brandon, † Pvt Antonio T. Montes. †