Karachi – Lahore
Flight / Schedule
Karachi – Lahore
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
AP-ACE
MSN
12775
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Pakistan Airways - Pak AirDate
November 26, 1948 at 11:15 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Vehari Punjab (<U+067E><U+0646><U+062C><U+0627><U+0628>)
Region
Asia • Pakistan
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On November 26, 1948 at 11:15 AM, Karachi – Lahore experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Pakistan Airways - Pak Air, with the event recorded near Vehari Punjab (<U+067E><U+0646><U+062C><U+0627><U+0628>).
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.
21 people were known to be on board, 21 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: 16, passenger fatalities: 16, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin engine aircraft left Karachi at 0805LT bound for Lahore and climbed to the assigned altitude of 7,000 feet. While cruising in the region of Vehari, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all 21 occupants.
Aircraft reference details include registration AP-ACE, MSN 12775, year of manufacture 1944.
Fatalities
Total
21
Crew
5
Passengers
16
Other
0
Crash Summary
The twin engine aircraft left Karachi at 0805LT bound for Lahore and climbed to the assigned altitude of 7,000 feet. While cruising in the region of Vehari, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all 21 occupants.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
5
Passengers On Board
16
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 21
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Karachi – Lahore
Operator
Pakistan Airways - Pak AirFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
Asia • Pakistan
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.10 Amiens
While making a turn on short final, the aircraft impacted ground and crashed. Two crew members were killed and a third was seriously injured. Crew: F/O J. C. Belford, F/O H. B. D. Harrington, † LAC Woodall. †
Bernard M. T. Shute Leete
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Bernard M. T. Shute Leete, owner of the aircraft, pilot and member of the Royal Aero Club, departed Stag Lane near London on 15NOV1926 on a flight to Pakistan. He arrived at Karachi on 08JAN1927 and in Lahore on 15FEB1927. In Punjab, he decided to make several demonstration flights. After few manoeuvres in the vicinity of the airport, he completed a last turn to join the airport. On final approach, while flying too low, the aircraft hit power cables, stalled and crashed before coming to rest upside down. While both occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was destroyed. Crew: Bernard M. T. Shute Leete, pilot. Passenger: Mrs. Hailey, wife of Governor of the Punjab.
Air Orient
Farman F.303
En route to Karachi, while flying near Somiani, one of the engine caught fire. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the crashed. All four occupants were slightly injured.
Air Bleu
Caudron C.440 Goéland
Crashed on landing in unknown circumstances. All three crewmen were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Indian National Airways - INA
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Indian National Airways - INA
Percival D.3 Gull Six
Few minutes after take off from Karachi Airport, while on a positioning flight, the single engine aircraft collided with a Beechcraft E17B flying for Indian National Airways as well. Registered VT-AKJ, this second aircraft was carrying a pilot who was approaching Karachi to land on the Mauripur airfield. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located some 50 km north of Karachi. While the pilot of the Percival, B. D. Sharma, was killed, the pilot of the Beechcraft survived.