Date: | Friday 29 October 1943 |
Time: | 19:16 |
Type: | Douglas C-47A-15-DL (DC-3) |
Owner/operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
Registration: | 42-23391 |
MSN: | 9253 |
Year of manufacture: | 1943 |
Engine model: | Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
Fatalities: | Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 20 |
Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
Category: | Accident |
Location: | Hoffman-Mackall AAF, NC (HFF) -
United States of America
|
Phase: | En route |
Nature: | Military |
Departure airport: | Hoffman-Mackall AAF, NC (HFF) |
Destination airport: | Hoffman-Mackall AAF, NC (HFF) |
Narrative:The C-47 was engaged in a nighttime paratroop dropping mission. It was equipped with two fully loaded externally mounted para-racks.
While on its way to the drop zone, the no. 1 engine failed. The propeller was feathered and the pilot decided to return to Mackall AAF. He did not jettison the para-racks. The paratroopers were ordered to stay on board as the altitude (300 feet) was too low to jump. After a slightly high final approach the pilot decided to abort the approach. Full power was added on the remaining engine and the airplane banked against the no. 1 engine.
The C-47 partially stalled, the left wingtip struck treetops and the airplane cartwheeled into the ground.
After the accident it was recommended that all transport planes with very heavy loads be fueled with 100-octane fuel instead of 91-octane as in this case.
Sources:
Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 2: July 1943-July 1944 / Anthony J. Mireles
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