Accident description
Last updated: 26 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 28 FEB 1944 |
| Time: | 21:58 |
| Type: | Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 42-68800 |
| C/n / msn: | 11727 |
| First flight: | 1943 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC (United States of America) |
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC (MXE/KMEB), United States of America |
| Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC (MXE/KMEB), United States of America |
The C-53D had departed Maxton AAB on a double glider night towing mission.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 05 the right hand engine failed. The gliders were released and the crew used single engine performance to return to Maxton. Immediately afterward the aircraft crashed into a wooded area.
Events:
Sources:
» Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research (AAIR)
» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 2: July 1943-July 1944 / Anthony J. Mireles
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC to Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC as the crow flies is 0 km (0 miles).
Distance from Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC to Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC as the crow flies is 0 km (0 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
