Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 16 December 1942
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 42-47379
Location: Blythe AAB, CAÿ –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed
Casualties: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants:
Component Affected: DC-3 aircraftDC-3 aircraft
Category: Accident
On December 16, 1942, a DC-3 aircraft carrying the 60th Troop Carrier Squadron of the 63rd Troop Carrier Group, towing a CG-4A glider, crashed in the night sky near Blythe Airfield, California, resulting in the deaths of eight Army airmen. The aircraft took off from South Plains Army Air Field in Lubbock, Texas, and collided with an unmanned glider.On December 16, 1942, a DC-3 aircraft carrying the 60th Troop Carrier Squadron of the 63rd Troop Carrier Group, towing a CG-4A glider, crashed in the night sky near Blythe Airfield, California, resulting in the deaths of eight Army airmen. The aircraft took off from South Plains Army Air Field in Lubbock, Texas, and collided with an unmanned glider.
Description
US Army Air Corps 60th Troop Carrier Squadron 63rd Troop Carrier Group a DC-3 42-47379 out of South Plains Army Air Field, Lubbock, Texas on 16 December 1942 towing a CG-4A glider being ferried with destination Victorville Air Force Station, California. When on the night time take-off at Blythe Airfield , California the DC-3 collided with the unmanned cargo glider and eight Army airmen were killed in the crash.
Primary Cause
Uncontrolled flight conditions during takeoff.Uncontrolled flight conditions during takeoff.Share on:
