Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 12 December 1954
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-10-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: CSA Ceskoslovensk‚ Aerolinie
Registration Number: OK-WDK
Location: 14,5 km NNE of Bratislava-Ivanka Airport (BTS) – ÿ Slovakia
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Pitot tubesPitot tubes
Category: Accident
A DC-3 aircraft, registration OK-WDK, experienced a significant incident during a cargo flight from Prague to Brno and Bratislava-Ivanka. The flight began uneventfully, with communication established with Bratislava at 22:42. Upon approaching the runway, the aircraft impacted a wooded hillside approximately 14.5 km from the threshold. A fire erupted, originating from blocked pitot tubes due to inclement weather conditions ? specifically, reduced visibility and overcast skies. Incorrect altimeter readings resulted in the crew descending to 70 meters above the airfield elevation, deviating from the intended altitude of 600 meters.A DC-3 aircraft, registration OK-WDK, experienced a significant incident during a cargo flight from Prague to Brno and Bratislava-Ivanka. The flight began uneventfully, with communication established with Bratislava at 22:42. Upon approaching the runway, the aircraft impacted a wooded hillside approximately 14.5 km from the threshold. A fire erupted, originating from blocked pitot tubes due to inclement weather conditions ? specifically, reduced visibility and overcast skies. Incorrect altimeter readings resulted in the crew descending to 70 meters above the airfield elevation, deviating from the intended altitude of 600 meters.

Description

The DC-3, registered OK-WDK, operated on a cargo flight from Prague’s Ruzyne Airport (PRG) to Brno (BRQ) and Bratislava-Ivanka Airport (BTS). The first leg of the flight was uneventful. The crew contacted Bratislava at 22:42. They were cleared for an approach to runway 23. Weather was poor with a visibility of 1800 meters 5/8 clouds at 80 m, and overcast (8/8) at 300 m. While turning on the approach course, the DC-3 impacted a wooded hillside 14.5 km from the threshold of runway and 1500 meters to the right of the center line. A fire erupted. The cause was apparently blocked pitot tubes due to rain or frost. The pitot heater switch was found in the off position. This caused incorrect altimeter readings, leading the crew to descend to 70 m above airfield elevation at a point were the altitude should have been 600 m.

Source of Information

https://web.archive.org/web/20210201173013/http://svici.sweb.cz/havarie.htmhttps://web.archive.org/web/20210201173013/http://svici.sweb.cz/havarie.htm

Primary Cause

Blocked pitot tubes due to rain or frost.Blocked pitot tubes due to rain or frost.

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