Maxton AFB - Maxton AFB

On February 28, 1944 at 09:58 PM, Maxton AFB - Maxton AFB experienced a crash involving Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3), operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF, with the event recorded near Maxton AFB North Carolina.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 33.3%.

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

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Aircraft was engaged in a local training mission and was towing two gliders. Shortly after takeoff from runway 05, while climbing, the right engine failed. Right away, the crew dropped both gliders to return to the airport. But the Skytrooper stalled and crashed in a wooded area near the airport. Two crew were injured while the third occupant was killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 42-68800, MSN 11727, year of manufacture 1943.