Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 2 December 1978
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-20-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: SMB Stage Line
Registration Number: N41447
Location: Des Moines, IA –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: PilotPilot
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A DC-3 aircraft struck an embankment at an upward slope, approximately 300 feet short of the runway 03 threshold. Visibility was reduced due to windshield icing. This incident was likely caused by a pilot misjudging distance and altitude.A DC-3 aircraft struck an embankment at an upward slope, approximately 300 feet short of the runway 03 threshold. Visibility was reduced due to windshield icing. This incident was likely caused by a pilot misjudging distance and altitude.
Description
The DC-3 struck the upslope of an embankment, 300 feet short of the runway 03 threshold. Windshield icing restricted the visibility of both pilots. PROBABLE CAUSE: pilot in command – misjudged distance and altitude FACTORS: miscellaneous acts,conditions – airframe ice miscellaneous acts,conditions – ice-windshield weather – icing conditions-includes sleet,freezing rain,etc.
Primary Cause
Pilot in command – misjudged distance and altitudePilot in command – misjudged distance and altitudeShare on:
