Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 21 March 1970
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-75-DL (DC-3A)
Owner/operator: Aircraft Charter Inc.
Registration Number: N163J
Location: Melcor Ocampo –
ÿ Mexico
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Aircraft structure (specifically the fuselage and wings).Aircraft structure (specifically the fuselage and wings).
Category: Accident
A serious aviation incident occurred when an airplane carrying a significant quantity of mercury was struck by lightning during flight. The mercury, believed to be smuggled, caused a catastrophic fire and subsequent explosion, resulting in multiple fatalities and significant damage to the aircraft.A serious aviation incident occurred when an airplane carrying a significant quantity of mercury was struck by lightning during flight. The mercury, believed to be smuggled, caused a catastrophic fire and subsequent explosion, resulting in multiple fatalities and significant damage to the aircraft.
Description
Crashed. The airplane was carrying bottles of mercury that were believed to be smuggled into the country.
Primary Cause
Lightning strike during flight.Lightning strike during flight.Share on:
