McClellan AFB - Mines AFB

Aircraft left McClellan AFB in Sacramento at 1830LT bound for Mines Field in Los Angeles. Pilot started the approach in good weather conditions but encountered patches of fog on final approach to runway 07L. Due to insufficient visibility, he decided to go around when the aircraft hit power cables. In stalling condition, aircraft hit trees and other electrical cables before crashing on an allotment located near the airport. Both pilots and one people on ground were killed as three other occupants were injured.

Flight / Schedule

McClellan AFB - Mines AFB

Registration

43-1982

MSN

5000

Year of Manufacture

1942

Date

January 2, 1944 at 09:24 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Mines AFB California

Region

North America • United States of America

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On January 2, 1944 at 09:24 PM, McClellan AFB - Mines AFB experienced a crash involving Douglas C-49 (DC-3), operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF, with the event recorded near Mines AFB California.

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.

5 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 60.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 1.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Aircraft left McClellan AFB in Sacramento at 1830LT bound for Mines Field in Los Angeles. Pilot started the approach in good weather conditions but encountered patches of fog on final approach to runway 07L. Due to insufficient visibility, he decided to go around when the aircraft hit power cables. In stalling condition, aircraft hit trees and other electrical cables before crashing on an allotment located near the airport. Both pilots and one people on ground were killed as three other occupants were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration 43-1982, MSN 5000, year of manufacture 1942.

Fatalities

Total

3

Crew

2

Passengers

0

Other

1

Crash Summary

Aircraft left McClellan AFB in Sacramento at 1830LT bound for Mines Field in Los Angeles. Pilot started the approach in good weather conditions but encountered patches of fog on final approach to runway 07L. Due to insufficient visibility, he decided to go around when the aircraft hit power cables. In stalling condition, aircraft hit trees and other electrical cables before crashing on an allotment located near the airport. Both pilots and one people on ground were killed as three other occupants were injured.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

2

Estimated Survivors

2

Fatality Rate

60.0%

Known people on board: 5

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

McClellan AFB - Mines AFB

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

43-1982

MSN

5000

Year of Manufacture

1942