Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 8 October 1974
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-3
Owner/operator: Khmer Airlines
Registration Number: XW-PKX
Location: Krakor Airport (KZD) – ÿ Cambodia
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Left WingLeft Wing
Category: Accident
A DC-3 aircraft attempted a takeoff from a wet gravel runway with a swerving maneuver, resulting in a wing strike and damage to the airport fence. The pilot’s decision to take off immediately after a heavy rain shower, despite unfavorable weather conditions, contributed to the incident.A DC-3 aircraft attempted a takeoff from a wet gravel runway with a swerving maneuver, resulting in a wing strike and damage to the airport fence. The pilot’s decision to take off immediately after a heavy rain shower, despite unfavorable weather conditions, contributed to the incident.

Description

A flapless takeoff was attempted from a wet gravel runway. The DC-3 had traveled 300 m down the runway when it swerved 30deg to the left at a speed of 60 knots. The aircraft became airborne and struck the airport fence with the left wing. Some buffaloes, frightened by the noise, ran into the left propeller. Four buffaloes were killed and the no. 1 prop separated. The left gear then bogged down into soft ground, 75 m from the airstrip. PROBABLE CAUSE: “1. Deteriorated condition of the laterite strip caused by intensive use, and the presence at various points of expanses of rain water. 2. An error in judgment by the pilot-in-command who, wishing to comply with flight schedules, attempted to take-off immediately after a heavy shower and under unfavorable weather conditions. He should have abandoned the take-off and waited until all the conditions had become satisfactory to ensure a safe take-off.”

Primary Cause

Deteriorated condition of the laterite strip caused by intensive use, and the presence at various points of expansion of rain water.Deteriorated condition of the laterite strip caused by intensive use, and the presence at various points of expansion of rain water.

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