Pisa – Frankfurt
Flight / Schedule
Pisa – Frankfurt
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
43-48736
MSN
14552/25997
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFDate
November 28, 1947 at 02:10 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Trappa Piedmont
Region
Europe • Italy
Coordinates
44.1854°, 7.9944°
Crash Cause
Weather
Narrative Report
On November 28, 1947 at 02:10 PM, Pisa – Frankfurt experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Trappa Piedmont.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.
20 people were known to be on board, 20 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 15, passenger fatalities: 15, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is weather. After his departure from Pisa Airport, the crew encountered very poor weather conditions with alto-cumulus, heavy snow falls and wind from the southeast up to 25 knots. Due to the wind, the aircraft went off course up to 50 km to the west, and due to poor visibility, the crew was unaware of this course deviation. The aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located near Trappa and was destroyed. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft was found. On January 31st, 1948, Italian skiers found the wreckage of the aircraft and 20 dead bodies in an isolated area. According to some US military Officers, at least two passengers survived the crash but died few hours later.
Aircraft reference details include registration 43-48736, MSN 14552/25997, year of manufacture 1944.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 44.1854°, 7.9944°.
Fatalities
Total
20
Crew
5
Passengers
15
Other
0
Crash Summary
After his departure from Pisa Airport, the crew encountered very poor weather conditions with alto-cumulus, heavy snow falls and wind from the southeast up to 25 knots. Due to the wind, the aircraft went off course up to 50 km to the west, and due to poor visibility, the crew was unaware of this course deviation. The aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located near Trappa and was destroyed. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft was found. On January 31st, 1948, Italian skiers found the wreckage of the aircraft and 20 dead bodies in an isolated area. According to some US military Officers, at least two passengers survived the crash but died few hours later.
Cause: Weather
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
5
Passengers On Board
15
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 20
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Pisa – Frankfurt
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
Europe • Italy
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
43-48736
MSN
14552/25997
Year of Manufacture
1944
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