Incident Overview
Date: Monday 2 January 1961
Aircraft Type: Douglas R4D-1 (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Marine Luchtvaart Dienst – MLD
Registration Number: 079
Location: 3 km S off Biak –
ÿ Indonesia
Phase of Flight: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: The C-47 aircraft’s light torch system.The C-47 aircraft’s light torch system.
Category: Accident
A C-47 aircraft on a nighttime training flight encountered an in-flight fire due to a malfunctioning light torch. The aircraft crashed during an attempted emergency landing at sea.A C-47 aircraft on a nighttime training flight encountered an in-flight fire due to a malfunctioning light torch. The aircraft crashed during an attempted emergency landing at sea.
Description
The C-47 operated on a night time training flight. It took off from the Biak-Boroekoe Royal Dutch Navy Air Station at 18:37. After practicing approach and landings, the crew had to activate light torches off the coast of Biak. The airplane flew along the coast line at an altitude of 3500-4000 feet. One of these torches activated inside the aircraft and an in-flight fire erupted. The crew attempted to carry out an emergency landing at sea but the airplane crashed.
Source of Information
http://www.veteranenmeteenmissie.nl/upload/file/MLD.pdf, http://www.traditiekamermld.nl/Ramp%20met%20Dakota%20nabij%20Biak%20in%20Nederlands%20Nieuw%20Guinea.pdfhttp://www.veteranenmeteenmissie.nl/upload/file/MLD.pdf, http://www.traditiekamermld.nl/Ramp%20met%20Dakota%20nabij%20Biak%20in%20Nederlands%20Nieuw%20Guinea.pdfPrimary Cause
Faulty light torch activation leading to an in-flight fire.Faulty light torch activation leading to an in-flight fire.Share on:
