Douglas C-47A-10-DK Dakota 3 – C-GUBT

Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 22 June 1983

Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-10-DK Dakota 3

Owner/operator: Skycraft Air Transport

Registration Number: C-GUBT

Location: Toronto International Airport, ON (YYZ) – ÿ Canada

Phase of Flight: Approach

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2

Component Affected: Aircraft Structure (specifically, the nose, wings, and main gear)Aircraft Structure (specifically, the nose, wings, and main gear)

Category: Accident

A Douglas C-47A cargo plane crashed while in final approach to Toronto International Airport, ON (YYZ), Canada, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The aircraft was loaded with 6 wire mesh baskets, and the crew chief stated they were instructing the flight crew to tie down the load. The flight departed Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, OH (CLE), USA, on a VFR flight plan. The Toronto terminal controller directed the flight to an ILS localizer, then transferred it to the arrival controller, who continued vectoring the aircraft. During the approach, the arrival controller repeatedly requested the aircraft maintain its best speed for spacing, and the crew initially reported maximum speed. The aircraft experienced a rapid and uncontrolled pitch oscillation, culminating in a nose-down pitch, a left-wing drop, and a subsequent impact with the ground. The engine noise increased as the aircraft pitched up, and the left wing dropped, leading to a yaw. The aircraft then fell to the right side of the runway, with a rapid climb and a ruptured left main gear, resulting in a fuel tank and post-impact fire. The initial oscillation was estimated to last approximately 10 seconds.A Douglas C-47A cargo plane crashed while in final approach to Toronto International Airport, ON (YYZ), Canada, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The aircraft was loaded with 6 wire mesh baskets, and the crew chief stated they were instructing the flight crew to tie down the load. The flight departed Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, OH (CLE), USA, on a VFR flight plan. The Toronto terminal controller directed the flight to an ILS localizer, then transferred it to the arrival controller, who continued vectoring the aircraft. During the approach, the arrival controller repeatedly requested the aircraft maintain its best speed for spacing, and the crew initially reported maximum speed. The aircraft experienced a rapid and uncontrolled pitch oscillation, culminating in a nose-down pitch, a left-wing drop, and a subsequent impact with the ground. The engine noise increased as the aircraft pitched up, and the left wing dropped, leading to a yaw. The aircraft then fell to the right side of the runway, with a rapid climb and a ruptured left main gear, resulting in a fuel tank and post-impact fire. The initial oscillation was estimated to last approximately 10 seconds.

Description

A Douglas C-47A cargo plane was destroyed when it crashed while in final approach to Toronto International Airport, ON (YYZ), Canada. Both pilots were killed. Skycraft Air Transport Flight 505 operated on a cargo flight from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, OH (CLE), USA. It was loaded with 6 wire mesh baskets, each almost filled with automobile roof bows. On completion of the loading, the crew chief stated he asked the flight crew if they wished the load tied down. They responded by saying they would take care of it. Flight 505 departed Cleveland at 07:45, on a VFR flight plan. The Toronto terminal controller gave a few small heading changes to direct the flight to the instrument landing system (ILS) localizer for an almost straight-in approach to runway 06R, then transferred it to the arrival controller, who continued vectoring the aircraft. During the approach, the arrival controller twice requested Flight 505 to maintain its best speed for spacing from other aircraft. The crew initially reported they were flying their maximum speed, and later indicated they were at their best speed as the aircraft was fairly heavy. Flight 505 called the tower over the outer marker and was cleared to land. After crossing the threshold 100 to 150 ft above the runway, the nose of the aircraft smoothly rose 5 to 10 deg. The nose then dropped an almost equal number of degrees, as if a correction had been made for the nose high attitude. This up, then down pitch movement was quickly followed by two pitch oscillations of increasing speed and magnitude. On the fourth oscillation, the nose continued to rise 45 to 60 deg. and the aircraft started to climb. The engine noise seemed to increase as the aircraft pitched up for the last time. At approximately 200 ft, as the aircraft reached the apex of its climb, the left wing dropped and the aircraft yawed to the left approximately 90 degrees. The wings levelled, then the aircraft fell into the field to the right side of the runway. The time between the beginning of the first oscillation and the impact with the ground is estimated to have been approximately 10 seconds. On impact the right main gear ruptured a fuel tank and a post-impact fuel fire ensued. PROBABLE CAUSE:”The aircraft’s weight and centre of gravity limits were exceeded, and the cargo was not secured. These factors led to loss of control of the aircraft.”

Primary Cause

Excessive weight and center of gravity exceeding aircraft limits, combined with inadequate load securing, leading to loss of control.Excessive weight and center of gravity exceeding aircraft limits, combined with inadequate load securing, leading to loss of control.

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