N481F

A loss of engine power en route forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames north of Tombouctou. All six occupants escaped and only one passenger was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Owned by Ray Geophysical, the airplane was engaged in a on-demand mission on behalf of Texaco. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in 1973.

Flight / Schedule

N481F

Registration

N481F

MSN

26461/15016

Year of Manufacture

1944

Operator

Ray Geophysical

Date

December 31, 1973 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Tombouctou Tombouctou

Region

Africa • Mali

Coordinates

16.7687°, -3.0049°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On December 31, 1973 at 12:00 AM, N481F experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Ray Geophysical, with the event recorded near Tombouctou Tombouctou.

The flight was categorized as geographical / geophysical / scientific and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

6 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 6 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: 4, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. A loss of engine power en route forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames north of Tombouctou. All six occupants escaped and only one passenger was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Owned by Ray Geophysical, the airplane was engaged in a on-demand mission on behalf of Texaco. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in 1973.

Aircraft reference details include registration N481F, MSN 26461/15016, year of manufacture 1944.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 16.7687°, -3.0049°.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

A loss of engine power en route forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames north of Tombouctou. All six occupants escaped and only one passenger was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Owned by Ray Geophysical, the airplane was engaged in a on-demand mission on behalf of Texaco. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in 1973.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

4

Estimated Survivors

6

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 6

Operational Details

Operator

Ray Geophysical

Flight Type

Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

Africa • Mali

Aircraft Details

Registration

N481F

MSN

26461/15016

Year of Manufacture

1944

Similar Plane Crashes

April 22, 1930 at 12:15 PM

Marcel Goulette

Farman F.190

The crew was returning to France after completing the first flight from France to Madagascar and the Reunion Island in December 1929. The aircraft departed Gao at 1015LT bound for the north. It overflew Tabankort then the crew planned to make a fuel stop at El Quit where a quantity of 220 liters of fuel was hidden in the sand. Some 30 km before the destination, the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when, on touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and ripped the fuselage on the left side, shearing off the left wing as well. All three crew were unhurt but the aircraft was abandoned on site. All three occupants were rescued and evacuated six days later, on 28APR1930, by members of the Compagnie Générale Transafricaine, and arrived in France on 05MAY1930. The airplane was eventually recovered 80 years later and repatriated to Paris where it was repaired and displayed at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. Crew: Marcel Goulette, pilot, René Marchesseau, pilot, Jean-Michel Bourgeois, mechanic.

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.