DC3/C170 MidAir in 1952

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GAHorn
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DC3/C170 MidAir in 1952

Post by GAHorn »

Our former member Russ Farris once posted about is 170 mid air with an airline DC3 in OK which everyone survived.

Here's another such story:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/re ... 19521215-0

Accident description
Last updated: 5 April 2018
Status:
Final
Date:
Monday 15 December 1952
Time:
09:52
Type:

Douglas DC-3A-269
Operator:
Lake Central Airlines
Registration:
N21716
C/n / msn:
2131
First flight:
1939
Total airframe hrs:
28567
Engines:
2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90D
Crew:
Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:
Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5
Total:
Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9
Collision casualties:
Fatalities: 1
Airplane damage:
Minor
Airplane fate:
Repaired
Location:
Richmond Airport, IN (RID) ( United States of America)
Phase:
Landing (LDG)
Nature:
Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:
Indianapolis Airport, IN, United States of America
Destination airport:
Richmond Municipal Airport, IN (RID/KRID), United States of America
Flightnumber:
21
Narrative:
Lake Central Airlines Flight 21 departed Indianapolis at 09:18 and was cleared direct to Richmond at a cruising altitude of 2300 feet. At 09:40 the flight advised the company at Richmond that it was in range and requested the local weather which was given as: Ceiling estimated 500 feet overcast, light snow showers, fog, visibility 5 miles and wind from the southwest at 18 miles per hour. Flight 21 reported over the Richmond "MH" marker (a non-directional homing beacon) at 09:44 and proceeded outbound on a heading of 234 degrees. A standard D/F approach was immediately begun. A few minutes prior to and during the approach the aircraft began picking up ice; accordingly the propeller and windshield de-icers and the windshield wipers were turned on. A normal approach was made and the aircraft became visually contact approximately one mile southwest of the airport at an altitude of about 400 feet above the ground. The company's agent, who from the ground was monitoring the approach, advised the flight that he had it in sight and that there was no other traffic. When starting flare-out for the landing a few feet above the ground the company's relief dispatcher seated on the jump seat (between and to the rear of the two pilots' seats) momentarily observed an aircraft approaching from the left. He immediately shouted to the captain to look out. Power was applied at once, but almost instantly thereafter the two aircraft collided. The DC-3 yawed to the right and for a few seconds was difficult to control; however, the right main landing gear wheel made contact with runway 23 some distance from the collision point and the aircraft rolled off the runway onto the grass. After rolling approximately 800 feet the captain was able to return the aircraft to the runway and stop. It appeared that a Cessna 170, N3131B, had been the airport from a southwesterly direction at an altitude between 300 and 400 feet and then to turn left for a landing on runway 28. A few seconds later, at the intersection of this runway and runway 23 the Cessna and the DC-3 collided. The pilot was killed and that aircraft was demolished by impact and fire.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the pilots of both aircraft to observe and avoid each other. The action of the Cessna pilot in cutting in and attempting to land contrary to the prevailing wind direction, and the inadequate monitoring of the DC-3'a flight from the ground contributed to the accident."


Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0099
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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GAHorn
Posts: 20967
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: DC3/C170 MidAir in 1952

Post by GAHorn »

My favorite DC3 Accident story: http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-fu ... R75-11.pdf

This FAA-DC3 was on a round-trip so the Regional Director, Duane Freer, could hand out safety awards. The RG had no DC3 experience and he had, as a new Regional Director, himself just issued a new directive that all FAA aircraft must be operated only by experienced and qualified pilots.

On this trip he mentioned to the PIC that he'd like to "get a little flight time" and the PIC allowed the unqualified RG to take the pilots seat and perform the takeoff...with the passenger cabin filled with FAA employees, some of whom did not fasten seat belts for the takeoff. In fact, the unqualified RG and the SIC did not use their shoulder harnesses and the PIC stood in the aisle for the takeoff.

The takeoff was botched and the aircraft departed the runway, struck it's left wing, tore both engines from their mounts, and came to a rest off the runway. The SIC, having not used his harness, was thrown from the cockpit, and numerous injuries were suffered among the occupants. The aircraft was a total loss.

http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-fu ... R75-11.pdf
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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ghostflyer
Posts: 1390
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:06 am

Re: DC3/C170 MidAir in 1952

Post by ghostflyer »

I’ll bet they promoted that Regional Director after that .
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