Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 19 December 1946
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-10-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Railway Air Services
Registration Number: G-AGZA
Location: 1 km NE of London-Northolt Airport (NHT) –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: DC-3 aircraft engine components (specifically, engine manifold pressure and RPM).DC-3 aircraft engine components (specifically, engine manifold pressure and RPM).
Category: Accident
A DC-3 taxied into position at London-Northolt Airport during a severe snowstorm, resulting in a prolonged delay for outbound traffic. The pilot initiated engine acceleration to 45.5 inches of manifold pressure and 2,500 RPM despite the snow obscuring visibility and hindering takeoff capabilities. The aircraft subsequently landed on top of a house at 46 Angus Drive, Ruislip.A DC-3 taxied into position at London-Northolt Airport during a severe snowstorm, resulting in a prolonged delay for outbound traffic. The pilot initiated engine acceleration to 45.5 inches of manifold pressure and 2,500 RPM despite the snow obscuring visibility and hindering takeoff capabilities. The aircraft subsequently landed on top of a house at 46 Angus Drive, Ruislip.
Description
It was a cold, snowy evening at London-Northolt Airport, when the DC-3 taxied into position for takeoff. The snow storm had closed the airport to incoming traffic, and outbound traffic was subject to long delays. The plane had been waiting for more than an hour waiting for clearance. When G-AGZA received clearance, the pilot ran the engines up to 45.5 inches of manifold pressure and 2,500 RPM. The DC-3 lifted off the runway but couldn’t gain height. The aircraft landed on top of a house at 46 Angus Drive in the London suburb of Ruislip. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot taking off when the aircraft was almost entirely covered with snow. In doing this the pilot committed an error of judgement.”
Source of Information
https://harrowonline.org/2019/08/13/ruislip-residents-narrow-escape-as-the-dakota-pays-a-flying-visit/https://harrowonline.org/2019/08/13/ruislip-residents-narrow-escape-as-the-dakota-pays-a-flying-visit/Primary Cause
Pilot error of judgement during takeoff due to obscured visibility and snow conditions.Pilot error of judgement during takeoff due to obscured visibility and snow conditions.Share on:
