Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 12 May 1948
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-4-1009
Owner/operator: Sabena
Registration Number: OO-CBE
Location: near Magazini –
ÿ Congo (Democratic Republic)
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 31 / Occupants: 32
Component Affected: Douglas DC-4, OO-CBEDouglas DC-4, OO-CBE
Category: Accident
A Douglas DC-4, OO-CBE, experienced a catastrophic crash during descent near Libenge, Belgium, resulting in the loss of the aircraft. The pilot was forced to the ground due to a tornado at a low altitude.A Douglas DC-4, OO-CBE, experienced a catastrophic crash during descent near Libenge, Belgium, resulting in the loss of the aircraft. The pilot was forced to the ground due to a tornado at a low altitude.
Description
The Douglas DC-4, OO-CBE, operated on a flight from Lopoldville (now Kinshasa) to Brussels, Belgium. The aircraft was descending towards Libenge, the first stop on the route, when it penetrated a very turbulent line of clouds at an altitude of 700 feet. The aircraft lost height and crashed into a forest. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot flew the aircraft into the active centre of a tornado at a low altitude and the aircraft was probably forced to the ground by a donwnward gust.”
Primary Cause
Probable cause: The pilot flew the aircraft into the active center of a tornado at a low altitude, resulting in a forced ground impact.Probable cause: The pilot flew the aircraft into the active center of a tornado at a low altitude, resulting in a forced ground impact.Share on:
