Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 17 July 1943
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 41-38730
Location: 16 km N of Grenada AAF, MS –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: C-47 aircraft, C-53 aircraftC-47 aircraft, C-53 aircraft
Category: Accident
A formation training mission involving six transport aircraft resulted in a crash when a C-47 aircraft dropped back and collided with a C-53 aircraft. The C-47 struck the C-53’s fuselage, causing a crash.A formation training mission involving six transport aircraft resulted in a crash when a C-47 aircraft dropped back and collided with a C-53 aircraft. The C-47 struck the C-53’s fuselage, causing a crash.
Description
Six transport aircraft departed Grenada AAF for a formation training mission. After completing a climb in squadron formation to 1200 feet, the squadron leader signalled for an echelon to the right. The C-47 flying in the third position in the leading element (41-38730) dropped back while flying a cross-over. The C-47 crossed over the leader of the second element and descended upon a C-53 (42-6464), flying in second position. The left wing of the C-47 contacted the fuselage of the other aircraft, just forward of the tail. The C-53 was pushed down. Both planes locked together went up and over on their backs and consequently crashed.
Primary Cause
Possible miscommunication or a sudden change in squadron formation leading to a collision.Possible miscommunication or a sudden change in squadron formation leading to a collision.Share on:
