VT-COU
Flight / Schedule
VT-COU
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
VT-COU
MSN
13570
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Kalinga AirlinesDate
April 2, 1964 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Calcutta-Dum Dum West Bengal
Region
Asia • India
Coordinates
22.6365°, 88.4145°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On April 2, 1964 at 12:00 AM, VT-COU experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Kalinga Airlines, with the event recorded near Calcutta-Dum Dum West Bengal.
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the right engine stopped. The copilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Aircraft reference details include registration VT-COU, MSN 13570, year of manufacture 1944.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 22.6365°, 88.4145°.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
On final approach to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the right engine stopped. The copilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 2
Operational Details
Operator
Kalinga AirlinesFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • India
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Wilfred Theodore Blake
Fairey III
The British Major Wilfred Theodore Blake was trying to complete one of the first World Tour. Last May, he crashed with his DH.9 in Marseille but continued with this Fairey IIIC. The airplane departed the east coast of India bound to Chittagong. While cruising off the West Bengal State, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Sagar. All three occupants were rescued and the aircraft was lost. Crew: Norman MacMillan, pilot, Wilfred Theodore Blake, copilot and navigator, Colonel L. E. Broome, photographer.
Brito Pais
Breguet 14
Both Portuguese aviators Brito Pais and Sarmento Beires departed Portugal (Vila Nova de Milfontes) on a flight to Macau with intermediate stops in Tunis, Cairo, Bushehr and Karachi. While flying over Rajasthan, the crew encountered engine problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. Both pilots escaped uninjured and continued their trip with a De Havilland DH.9.
Thomas Neville Stack
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The aircraft was owned by Thomas Neville Stack but piloted this day by W. H. Vetch for a demo flight at Shillong. After performing several manoeuvres, the pilot started an approach but was too low when the aircraft hit power cables and crashed into the public. The pilot and four other people were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Dennis M. M. Rooke
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Dennis M. M. Rooke, pilot and owner of this aircraft named 'Marjorie', was performing a flight from England to Australia. Shortly after takeoff from Aurangabad, en route to Darwin, the aircraft hit a palm tree and crashed. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Van Lear Black
Fokker F7
The aircraft named 'Maryland Free State' departed London on a trip to Tokyo, carrying three passengers and two crew members. Upon landing at Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed. All five occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Owner of the aircraft, the American businessman Van Lear Black (also owner of the US newspaper Baltimore Sun) returned to UK by train and ordered a new aircraft to complete his trip from London to Tokyo.
George Valentin Bibescu
Ford 5
En route, the three engine airplane collided with a vulture, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all four occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was owned by Prince George Valentin Bibescu, President of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).
