Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 27 October 1943
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 41-18416
Location: 7,5 km SW of Fort Benning-Lawson Field, GA –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Left wingtipLeft wingtip
Category: Accident
A C-47 aircraft, during a training flight, experienced a catastrophic event resulting in a ground impact and subsequent fire. The pilot lost visual contact with the ground due to poor visibility, leading to a cartwheel and flame burst.A C-47 aircraft, during a training flight, experienced a catastrophic event resulting in a ground impact and subsequent fire. The pilot lost visual contact with the ground due to poor visibility, leading to a cartwheel and flame burst.
Description
The C-47 took off from Fort Benning at 19:45 on a training flight to practice landings. During a low altitude turn to final the pilot probably lost visual contact with the ground in poor visibility conditions. The left wingtip struck the ground. The airplane cartwheeled and burst into flames.
Primary Cause
Poor visibility conditions due to low altitude and inclement weather.Poor visibility conditions due to low altitude and inclement weather.Share on:
