Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 14 March 1944
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-35-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 42-23834
Location: New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field, NY (LGA) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Aircraft structure and systems, specifically the aircraft’s control surfaces and landing gear.Aircraft structure and systems, specifically the aircraft’s control surfaces and landing gear.
Category: Accident
Two American Airlines mechanics initiated an unauthorized flight of a C-47 aircraft. The aircraft experienced a near-stalling attitude, followed by two passes over the field. During the third approach, the aircraft descended to a low altitude, resulting in a collision with a highway light pole, fence damage, and subsequent fire.Two American Airlines mechanics initiated an unauthorized flight of a C-47 aircraft. The aircraft experienced a near-stalling attitude, followed by two passes over the field. During the third approach, the aircraft descended to a low altitude, resulting in a collision with a highway light pole, fence damage, and subsequent fire.
Description
Two American Airlines mechanics took the C-47 for an unauthorized flight. It took off in a near-stalling attitude and then made two passes over the field. During the third approach, the aircraft was very low. It struck a highway light pole, went through fences and burst into flames.
Source of Information
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asphttp://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.aspPrimary Cause
Unauthorized flight operation and potential mechanical failure during the third approach.Unauthorized flight operation and potential mechanical failure during the third approach.Share on:
