McGrath - Galena
Flight / Schedule
McGrath - Galena
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
N154R
MSN
6156
Year of Manufacture
1942
Operator
Reeder Flying ServiceDate
July 3, 1970 at 02:00 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Fire fighting
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
McGrath Alaska
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
62.9564°, -155.5958°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 3, 1970 at 02:00 PM, McGrath - Galena experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Reeder Flying Service, with the event recorded near McGrath Alaska.
The flight was categorized as fire fighting and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
27 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 22 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 18.5%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 25, passenger fatalities: 4, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. At liftoff at McGrath Airport, the airplane went out of control, collided with trees and crashed in flames. A crew member and four passengers were killed while several others were seriously injured. The aircraft was engaged in a fire control activity between McGrath and Galena when the accident occurred.
Aircraft reference details include registration N154R, MSN 6156, year of manufacture 1942.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 62.9564°, -155.5958°.
Fatalities
Total
5
Crew
1
Passengers
4
Other
0
Crash Summary
At liftoff at McGrath Airport, the airplane went out of control, collided with trees and crashed in flames. A crew member and four passengers were killed while several others were seriously injured. The aircraft was engaged in a fire control activity between McGrath and Galena when the accident occurred.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
25
Estimated Survivors
22
Fatality Rate
18.5%
Known people on board: 27
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
McGrath - Galena
Operator
Reeder Flying ServiceFlight Type
Fire fighting
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
Aircraft Details
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