Kinmen - Taipei

Shortly after takeoff from Kinmen-Shang Yi Airport (Quemoy Island), while climbing, the right engine caught fire. The aircraft lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred meters off shore. Nine occupants were rescued while 31 others were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Kinmen - Taipei

Registration

3197

Date

June 7, 1983 at 12:40 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Crash Location

Kinmen, Quemoy Island Fujian

Region

Asia • China

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On June 7, 1983 at 12:40 PM, Kinmen - Taipei experienced a crash involving Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, operated by Republic of China Air Force, with the event recorded near Kinmen, Quemoy Island Fujian.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

47 people were known to be on board, 38 fatalities were recorded, 9 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 80.9%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 39, passenger fatalities: 30, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Kinmen-Shang Yi Airport (Quemoy Island), while climbing, the right engine caught fire. The aircraft lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred meters off shore. Nine occupants were rescued while 31 others were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 3197.

Fatalities

Total

38

Crew

8

Passengers

30

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after takeoff from Kinmen-Shang Yi Airport (Quemoy Island), while climbing, the right engine caught fire. The aircraft lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred meters off shore. Nine occupants were rescued while 31 others were killed.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

8

Passengers On Board

39

Estimated Survivors

9

Fatality Rate

80.9%

Known people on board: 47

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Kinmen - Taipei

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Region / Country

Asia • China

Aircraft Details

Registration

3197

Similar Plane Crashes

July 2, 1931 at 12:00 AM

Eurasia Aviation Corporation

Junkers W.33

It is believed that the crew was forced to make an emergency landing while approaching Lanzhou. The mechanic was injured and the pilot escaped unhurt. Other source reports that the aircraft was shot down over Mongolia - China border.

August 26, 1932 at 12:00 AM

Eurasia Aviation Corporation

Junkers W.33

The crew was completing a local flight in the area of Lanzhou to test new mail routes. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

September 1, 1932 at 12:00 AM

Eurasia Aviation Corporation

Junkers W.33

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

December 15, 1932 at 12:00 AM

Eurasia Aviation Corporation

Junkers F.13

The crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all occupants were rescued.

November 24, 1933 at 08:30 AM

China National Aviation Corporation - CNAC

Sikorsky S-38

On approach to Hangzhou, the crew reduced his altitude due to low visibility caused by foggy conditions. As the Captain was unable to locate the landing area in the Hangzhou Bay, he initiated a go around procedure. During the last turn, while flying too low, the float plane impacted a hill and crashed. All 11 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

April 10, 1934 at 12:00 AM4 Fatalities

China National Aviation Corporation - CNAC

Sikorsky S-38

One hour after his departure from Shanghai, while overflying the Bay of Hangzhou, the crew encountered foggy conditions and informed his base he was returning to Shanghai. A brief message was transmitted with two audible words 'turning back'. Shortly later, the seaplane crashed in the Bay of Hangzhou, south of Shanghai. Some debris were found 10 days later and the dead body of the captain was found four months later. The passenger was a Japanese citizen. Crew: Robert H. Gast, pilot, James Frink, pilot, Ivan Carlson, radio operator.