Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Paul Grossman

While rolling on a taxiway, the airplane went out of control and collided with a hangar. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

SATENA - Servicio de Aeronavegacion a Territorios Nacionales

The crew was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight at Cali-Palmaseca Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The captain attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed on a farm near the airport. All four occupants were injured while there were no casualties on the ground.

Transamazonica

On approach to runway 29 at Carurú Airport, the captain decided to make a low pass to inspect the surface condition when the right engine started vibrating. The engine was shut down and its propeller was feathered. The crew initiated a right turn to land on runway 11 when the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed about 500 meters short of runway. All three crew members and one passenger were killed while five other occupants were injured.

Hemet Exploration

Radar and radio contacts were lost while the aircraft was flying over the Mediterranean Sea on a flight from Oran to Toulouse. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned six days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the four occupants was found. It is believed that the aircraft crashed into the sea south of Balearic Islands.

Caribe Air

After a night takeoff from Sebring Airfield, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height. It struck ground obstacles and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

National Jet Services

The airplane was engaged in a charter flight from Indianapolis to Nashville with an intermediate stop at Evansville Airport, carrying members of the University of Evansville basketball team and associated personnel. Takeoff from runway 18 was completed in marginal weather conditions with mist and light rain. After rotation, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn to the left when the airplane struck two trees located to the east of the airfield. Then the aircraft rolled to the right and crashed about a mile southeast from runway 18 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 29 occupants were killed.

Island Traders

Landed hard at Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport for unknown reason. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.

Air America

The aircraft was completing a charter flight on behalf of China Airlines. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command encountered difficulties to decelerate properly and as the end of the runway was approaching, he decided to make a sharp turn to the left when the airplane skidded and struck an embankment before coming to rest. All nine occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Porto Marghera, near Venice. All four crew members were killed. They were apparently involved in a special mission on behalf of the Italian Secret Services.

Acme Leasing

While on a cargo flight from Panama City to Oranjestad, Aruba, the crew reported a smell of burning in the cabin and elected to divert to Pivijay Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown on a 850 meters long runway, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. It struck a perimeter fence and came to rest in a field. While both pilots were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Cruzeiro do Sul

Crashed upon landing at Santa Isabel do Rio Negro-Tapuruquara Airport. There were no injuries.

Aerodyne Engineering

The aircraft was completing a flight from Texas to the region of Tampico on behalf of Aerodyne Engineering, carrying two pilots and eight passengers. On final approach, the crew decided to make a go-around for unknown reason when the airplane stalled and struck the ground short of runway threshold. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

Panair do Brasil

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Filipinas Orient Airways

On landing, the left main gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Faucett

The aircraft was on a scheduled domestic flight between the towns of Huánuco and Pucallpa with 3 crew members and 15 passengers aboard. The aircraft, which was flying at a height of 15,000 feet was operating normally up to 0955LT at which time the pilot reported by radio that the aircraft was returning to Huánuco because of bad weather. There was no further communication from the aircraft. Eye-witnesses reported that the aircraft was seen 'falling and revolving in its descent' and they also stated they heard the noise of the engines 'accelerating in a burst of power' just before the aircraft struck the ground near the base of a hill. The time of the accident was approximately 1005LT. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 18 occupants have been killed.

Aeronorte

En route, the crew was informed about the deterioration of the weather conditions at destination and decided to divert to Ponta Grossa. While descending in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck a mountain located few km from Ponta Grossa. All three crew members were killed.

Mexicana de Aviación

The crew encountered thick fog while approaching Mexico City Airport. The airplane struck a hill located near Juchitepec, about 40 km south of Mexico City Airport, and crashed. All three crew members and five passengers were killed while ten other occupants were rescued.

Cruzeiro do Sul

The crew was completing a flight from Jaguarão to Porto Alegre with intermediate stops at Rio Grande and Pelotas on behalf of Varig. During the takeoff roll, the airplane deviated to the right. The pilot-in-command elected to regain control but due to over-correction, the airplane turned sharply to the left, swung on runway and eventually veered off runway to the left before colliding with two parked DC-3 (registered PP-ABZ and PP-HDJ). A fire erupted and all three aircraft were destroyed by fire. While both other aircraft were empty at the time of the accident, both pilots and eight passengers were killed, the other occupants were injured.

Cuban Air Force - Fuerza Aérea del Ejército de Cuba

The crew was completing a positioning flight from Havana to Miami for the purpose of maintenance, the propeller to be adjusted. While cruising along the Keys, a distress call was received. The airplane apparently crashed into the Strait of Florida, between Key West and Marathon. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Navegação Aérea Brasileira - NAB

Shortly after a night takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 16 km off Ilha Rasa, south of Rio de Janeiro. Few debris were found floating on water few hours after the crash. The main wreckage and both pilots pilots bodies were found later on. The crew was completing a pilot proficiency check flight.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

After landing at São Filipe Airport on Fogo Island, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop, overran and went down a rocky embankment before coming to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

All Nippon Airways

While cruising along the coast, the airplane crashed into the sea for unknown reason. The crew was unable to send any distress call. The airplane was lost and all 33 occupants have been killed. It was later reported by the Japanese Authorities that the aircraft was not equipped with life vests or dinghies.

Capital Airlines

A Capital Airlines DC-3 crashed and burned near Martinsburg Airport, Martinsburg, West Virginia, at 1358 on June 4, 1958, injuring the three occupants-an instructor and two pilot-trainees. One trainee, who was flying the aircraft at the time of the accident, died the following day of severe burns. The aircraft was on a training flight from Washington National Airport and was practising takeoffs and landings at Martinsburg Airport. During the pilot's attempt to climb out after abandoning a single-engine approach to runway 8, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area. A crew member was killed while two other occupants were injured.

Northeast Airlines - USA

Northeast Airlines Flight 285 is a scheduled passenger operation originating at Boston, Massachusetts, and terminating at New York, New York, with intermediate stops serving Hyannis, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and New Bedford, Massachusetts. On September 15, 1957, the flight originated on schedule, its crew consisting of Captain Vincent L. Pitts, Reserve Captain Roger W. Sweetland, serving as copilot, and Stewardess Nancy J. Lehan. Flight 285 was routine until it reached Martha's Vineyard where it landed at 2007 following a missed approach in poor weather conditions. The flight departed Martha's Vineyard for New Bedford at 2019, about 50 minutes behind schedule, the result of the missed approach, IFR delays, and accumulated minor delays. The flight to New Bedford was in and on top of Instrument weather conditions and was conducted according to an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight plan. The clearance given the flight by ARTC (Air Route Traffic Control) through company radio was as follows. "ATC clears Northeast 285 to the New Bedford middle marker, via direct Otis, Red 94, to maintain 4,000, to make climb to 2,500 at the Martha's Vineyard radio beacon before proceeding on course. Report on course and report the Otis radio beacon." At departure there was sufficient fuel for the flight to New Bedford, and, if necessary to the designated alternate airport, Boston, with the required reserve upon arrival there. Also, at this time, according to the company load manifest, the aircraft was loaded to a gross weight of 22,443 pounds, well under the maximum allowable of 25,346 pounds. The load was distributed within the center of gravity limitations of the aircraft. At 2024 the flight reported to the company radio at Martha's Vineyard that it was over the Martha's Vineyard radio beacon, "2,500 feet on course." At 2029 it again contacted the company at Martha's Vineyard and reported it was then over Otis at 4,000 feet. A few minutes later Flight 285 contacted the New Bedford taper controller and informed him it was unable to give the Otis report to the company at Boston. The controller took the progress report and requested the flight to contact Providence approach control (Providence controls IFR flights in the New Bedford area). The flight immediately contacted Providence approach control and was cleared to maintain 4,000 feet to the compass locater at the New Bedford middle marker and to report over the marker. This was acknowledged. Immediately thereafter Providence cleared Flight 285 for an approach to the New Bedford Airport and requested it to report leaving 4,000 feet and then switch to the New Bedford tower. At 2036 the flight reported leaving 4,000 feet. Flight 285 then contacted the New Bedford tower operator and thereafter, at 2038, according to the controller, stated it was starting an ILS approach. The controller gave the flight the latest weather as follows: Indefinite 200, obscuration; visibility one mile; fog; wind southeast 3; altimeter 30.02. He also cleared the flight to land, ILS approach, straight in to runway 5, and requested that it call the tower when inbound at the outer marker. Following this clearance the captain of another Northeast flight, 275, which had shortly before, at 2031, taken off from runway 23, the reciprocal of 5, gave Flight 285 the following information. "It'll be tight." Flight 285 reported that it had completed the procedure turn and was inbound over the outer marker. The controller acknowledged this report which was the last communication with the flight. He logged the report at 2046, shortly after it was received. The airplane clip trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located 4,000 feet short of runway 05 threshold. Both pilots and ten passengers were killed while 12 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Indamer Airways

The crew was engaged in a supply mission over Assam, carrying a load of various goods that should be jettisoned. While completing a sharp turn at low height, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed. All eight occupants were killed.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Struck a mountain located near Sayari, killing all 19 occupants.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

Few minutes after takeoff from Nairobi-Eastleigh Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine that lost power. The captain decided to return for a safe landing but on approach, realized he could not make it. So he attempted an emergency landing when the airplane hit a tree and crashed in flames three km from the airfield. While all occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Real Aerovias

On approach to Vitória da Conquista Airport, the crew lowered the gear. As it failed to lock, the captain decided to make a go-around, increased power on both engines and completed a low pass over the runway before joining the circuit. As he completed a turn to the left, the aircraft hit a telephone pole, stalled and crashed in flames near the airport. Four passengers and a crew member were killed while 16 other people were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aeronaves de Mexico

On approach to Monterrey-Del Norte Airport, the airplane crashed on the Friars Peak located 16 km north of the airfield. All 18 occupants were killed.

AVENSA - Aerovias Venezolanas

Shortly after takeoff from Maiquetía-Simon Bolivar Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off the Guaira harbor. All 24 occupants were killed.

Devlet Hava Yollari - DHY

On final approach to Cairo Airport, the airplane was too low and hit a sand dune and crashed. All five occupants were killed.

Cruzeiro do Sul

The approach to Florianópolis Airport was completed in heavy rain falls. On final, the pilot in command decided to attempt a go around and increased the power on both engines when the right engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. Three passengers were killed while 11 other occupants were injured.

Pakistan Airways - Pak Air

The crew just started the descent by night to Karachi when the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain (1,185 feet high) located about 80 km east of Karachi-Mauripur Airport, near the village of Jungshahi. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 26 occupants were killed. Two days after the tragedy, the Operator's AOC was suspended for an undetermined period of time.

Cruzeiro do Sul

Hit a rocky peak located in the Sierra Cristais and crashed. All six occupants were killed.

Det Danske Luftfartselskab - DDL

While descending to Frankfurt-Main Airport in marginal weather conditions, the crew informed ground that an engine failed and was forced to make an emergency landing as he was unable to maintain a safe altitude. The aircraft crash landed in a field located in Ulrichstein, about 70 km northeast of Frankfurt Airport. On impact , a wing was sheared off, causing a gaping hole in the cabin, allowing some of the passengers to quickly evacuate the aircraft. Nevertheless, all four crew members and eight other passengers were killed in the accident.

Air India

After landing at Jammu Airport, the aircraft failed to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was written off.

Avianca

Crashed in a mountainous area located near Puerto Araujo. The wreckage was found a week later. All 17 occupants were killed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

After passing Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and lost his orientation. The aircraft continued over Switzerland, avoid several peaks and eventually encountered katabatic winds. At a speed of 280 km/h, the aircraft lost height and crashed on the Gauli Glacier located about 10 km east of the Grindelwald winter station, at an altitude of 3,350 meters. One hour after the accident, the crew (who thought he crashed in the French Alps), sent a message that was received by ATC in Paris-Orly Airport and Istres-Le Tubé Airbase as well. French authorities made some calculation and deduced that the aircraft has crashed in the Swiss Alps and informed the Swiss authorities. Two days later, an officer based in the control tower of the Meiringen airbase located about 12 km north of the crash site received a message on his frequency as well and gave the alert. Skiers, helped with the crew of a RAF Lancaster and a USAAF B-29 were able to located the wreckage five days later. Suffering injuries due to their stay in negative temperatures, all 11 occupants were evacuated to local hospitals.

United Airlines

The aircraft was heard southwest of the airport at 0327 and at this time Cleveland Tower cleared the flight to land on Runway 36-Left. At 0328 the air-craft was observed over the airport at an altitude of between 200 and 400 feet flying In a northeasterly direction. When approximately over the north boundary, the aircraft disappeared from view in what appeared to be a low cloud formation. At this time Cleveland Tower advised the flight that It was cleared to use Runway 36-Left, Runway 36-Right, or Runway 31, at the captain's discretion. The aircraft was next seen re-approaching the airport from the northeast in a right turn, during which turn the landing lights were switched on. In the latter part of the turn, a descent was established and this descent was continued in a northwesterly direction toward the dark, undeveloped area north of the airport. With the exception of the fact that the aircraft was heading toward an area not within the boundary of the airport, its appearance was that of an aircraft in a normal landing approach. When at an altitude of approximately 30 feet, the aircraft banked slightly to the left and, immediately thereafter it struck trees and high tension lines paralleling the north boundary of the airport. The aircraft veered sharply to the right and dived into the ground, coming to rest approximately 550 feet beyond the point of initial contact.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was performing a flight from Augusta-Bush Field, Georgia, to Morrison AFB in West Palm Beach. Enroute, he encountered engine trouble and the captain elected to divert to Jacksonville Airport. On final approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. A crewman was killed while the second occupant was injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Crashed in flames in a field located in Jarny. All three crew members were killed. Crew: 1st Lt David L. Brown, 1st Lt James J. Murphy, T/Sgt John W. Smith Jr.

China National Aviation Corporation - CNAC

The flight was initiated in heavy rain falls. After take off, while climbing, both engines lost power and the aircraft lost height before crashing on Mt Digboi located in the Naga mountain range, few miles from the Dinjan Airport. The wreckage was spotted a day later and all three crew members were killed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Crash landed for unknown reason at Cambrai-Niergnies Airfield. No casualties.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy and was towing a glider. While returning to his base in England, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft into The Channel. While the aircraft sunk and was lost, all four crew members were rescued.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy and was towing a glider. Shortly after the glider was released, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by enemy fire. The crew decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field located in the region of Bayeux. While all five occupants were rescued, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

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.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

En route, a structural failure forced the crew to reduce his altitude and attempting an emergency landing in an open field. On final, aircraft hit three small rocky wall before coming to rest in a prairie. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all 9 occupants escaped unhurt.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was performing a night training mission and departed Alliance AAF in the evening. While cruising in low visibility, the pilot made a turn to the right when the aircraft hit a mountain slope and crashed. The aircraft was demolished and all five occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing a right turn at the time of the accident and was in a bank angle of 60 degrees upon impact. Crew: Sgt John N. Darling, 2nd Lt Harold F. Kelly, 2nd Lt Richard P. Murphy, Sgt Abraham Schneider, 1st Lt Roy S. Stanton.

China National Aviation Corporation - CNAC

The crew was performing a cargo flight with a load of bank notes. On final approach to Kunming, the visibility was low due to heavy rain falls and a cloud layer at 100 feet. The aircraft hit the ground hundreds yards short of runway, broke into several pieces and burned. The copilot was injured while both other occupants were killed. Thousands of bank notes were found on a large area.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

After rotation from Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the aircraft encountered problem to gain height when it hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 1,200 meters past the runway end. All twenty occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were as follow: ceiling at 2,000 feet, horizontal visibility estimated at 11 km and light wind. Crew: 1st Lt Dale Johnson, 2nd Lt Jasper A. Lagattuta, 1st Lt Kermit R. Peasley.