Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 13 January 1970
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47B-45-DK (DC-3D)
Owner/operator: Polynesian Airlines
Registration Number: 5W-FAC
Location: off Apia-Faleolo Airport (APW) –
ÿ Samoa
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 32 / Occupants: 32
Component Affected: Aircraft noseAircraft nose
Category: Accident
An aircraft experienced a sudden and severe windshear event shortly after takeoff, followed by possible precipitation turbulence, resulting in a nose pitch-up and subsequent crash into the sea. An explosion occurred.An aircraft experienced a sudden and severe windshear event shortly after takeoff, followed by possible precipitation turbulence, resulting in a nose pitch-up and subsequent crash into the sea. An explosion occurred.
Description
About one minute after takeoff the aircraft encountered windshear and possible precipitation turbulence, causing the nose to pitch up. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea; an explosion followed. CAUSE: Unrecoverable stall due to shifting of winds.
Primary Cause
Unrecoverable stall due to shifting of winds.Unrecoverable stall due to shifting of winds.Share on:
