Incident Overview
Date: Monday 20 November 1944
Aircraft Type: Douglas Dakota III (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: KG318
Location: near Spycker –
ÿ France
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 19
Component Affected: Flight DeckFlight Deck
A RAF Dakota III transport plane aircraft experienced a significant incident during a flight back to the U.K. from Eindhoven, stopping at Antwerpen to prepare for Cap Gris-Nez. Severe weather, including heavy rain and a strong crosswind, hampered flight operations. Near Dunkirk, the aircraft suffered a cloud burst, resulting in damage to the cabin, including impacts to the rudder pedal and injuries to the pilot. A fire occurred on the flight deck, which was difficult to extinguish. A waterlogged field was selected for a forced landing. All crew members survived the incident.A RAF Dakota III transport plane aircraft experienced a significant incident during a flight back to the U.K. from Eindhoven, stopping at Antwerpen to prepare for Cap Gris-Nez. Severe weather, including heavy rain and a strong crosswind, hampered flight operations. Near Dunkirk, the aircraft suffered a cloud burst, resulting in damage to the cabin, including impacts to the rudder pedal and injuries to the pilot. A fire occurred on the flight deck, which was difficult to extinguish. A waterlogged field was selected for a forced landing. All crew members survived the incident.
Description
The RAF Dakota III transport plane aircraft was flying back from Eindhoven (Advanced Landing Ground B-78) to the U.K. with a load of 15 passengers. A stop was made at Antwerpen (Advanced Landing Ground B-70) and the crew then set course to Cap Gris-Nez. Weather en route was poor with heavy rain and a strong cross wind of 40 to 50 mph. Near Dunkirk the aircraft broke cloud and immediately received hits from Flak in the cabin. Hits were received near the rudder pedal, and the pilot received injuries in the leg and arm and also in the left eye. A fire occurred in the flight deck but could not be fully contained using a fire extinguisher. A waterlogged field was chosen for a forced landing. All survived.
Source of Information
http://www.bbm.org.uk/BaileyGJ.htm, http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?539-Dakota-loss-24th-December-1944http://www.bbm.org.uk/BaileyGJ.htm, http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?539-Dakota-loss-24th-December-1944Primary Cause
Severe weather conditions, specifically heavy rain and a strong crosswind, caused significant flight hazards and damage to the aircraft.Severe weather conditions, specifically heavy rain and a strong crosswind, caused significant flight hazards and damage to the aircraft.Share on:
