Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 15 September 1946
Aircraft Type: Douglas Dakota III (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Royal Canadian Air Force – RCAF
Registration Number: 962
Location: Estevan, SK –
ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 21
Component Affected: Starboard Elevator Control LockStarboard Elevator Control Lock
Category: Accident
A Dakota aircraft, engaged in ferrying airmen from Fargo, North Dakota to Estevan, South Dakota, experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of control during a flight. The aircraft rapidly climbed sharply, stalled, and crashed, resulting in significant damage and burning. An investigation determined that a control lock on the starboard elevator was not removed before the flight.A Dakota aircraft, engaged in ferrying airmen from Fargo, North Dakota to Estevan, South Dakota, experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of control during a flight. The aircraft rapidly climbed sharply, stalled, and crashed, resulting in significant damage and burning. An investigation determined that a control lock on the starboard elevator was not removed before the flight.
Description
The Dakota was engaged in ferrying airmen from Fargo, ND (FAR) to Estevan, SK. The airmen had ferried Fairchild PT-19 Cornell planes to Fargo and were returning for another series of ferry flights. As the Dakota approached Estevan, eyewitnesses saw the plane go around. The undercarriage was raised and the airplane climbed sharply. It stalled, crashed and burned. Investigation revealed that a control lock on the starboard elevator had not been removed before the flight.
Primary Cause
Failure to remove a control lock on the starboard elevator.Failure to remove a control lock on the starboard elevator.Share on:
