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- Code Number:
- TACV04P05_04
- Title:
- Douglas DC-4, Cargoliner Schuylkill River, United Airlines UAL, 1950s
- CN: 7473
LN: DO81
First flight: 1944
Engines: R-2800
History:
42-107454 Douglas C-54A-5-DO United States Air Force USAF
N53135
N30069 Cargoliner Schuylkill River United Airlines UAL
N30069 wfu 12/1956 San Joaquin United Airlines UAL
N30069 dd 12/1956 TALOA Transocean Air Lines
JY-ABC leased 9/1958 Air Jordan
N30069 returned 12/1958 - 2/1961 TALOA Transocean Air Lines
LX-ABC
TJ-ABC 13/06/1961 Written-off
Accident report:
Status: Final
Date: 13/06/1961
Time: 18:33 UTC
Operator: Air Cameroun
Registration: TJ-ABC
Crew Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Passenger Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Total Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Airplane damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location: 1,5 kilometers (0.9 mls) west of Douala Airport (DLA) (Cameroon)
Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
Nature: Training
Departure airport: Douala Airport (DLA/FKKD), Cameroon
Destination airport: Douala Airport (DLA/FKKD), Cameroon
Narrative:
The flight was the last being made in order to complete the pilot's training for a DC-4 type rating. The crew consisted of an instructor, the trainee-pilot, a radio operator and an engineer. The first training session of the day had taken place during the afternoon from 16:38-7:55 UTC at which time the pilot had performed ten take-offs and landings for the instructor including several with one engine inoperative and the propeller feathered. Flights had been flown at heights between 150 and 200 feet. The second part of the session was to include take-offs with one engine on reduced power. Following a twenty-minute break, the DC-4 aircraft took off from runway 12 in darkness at 18:16 hours, and flew along its extended centerline, made a 180? turn and landed in the opposite direction on runway 30 at 18:26 hours. After making a half turn at the end of the runway, the aircraft took off at 18:31 hours from runway 12. Power on the #4 engine was reduced during the take-off. The aircraft had difficulty in lifting off the ground but finally became airborne on the last third of the runway. The landing gear and flaps, were retracted immediately and the plane entered a very shallow climb. Approximately 1200 meters from the end runway 30, the propeller of engine #2 slashed a tree, severing it and disintegrated the propeller. The DC-4 was then nosed up but struck a second tree. Momentum was reduced, course was altered and the aircraft broke up, cutting a swath in the trees. Following the second impact the fuel tanks burst and caught fire. Propellers 1, 3 and 4 and engines # 1, 2 and 3 were ejected forward; the left wing and left wing root ripped from the fuselage which continued on its path. The right wing then smashed against a tree 200 meters from the first point of impact and fell in front of the fuselage after losing engine #4 in its fall.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by flying too low an altitude during a night training flight." - Keywords:
- Caption Disclaimer
