Narrative:
After takeoff from Fairfax Field (KCK) runway 35, the C-47 barely climbed. Unable to gain height the airplane contacted trees and crashed on the north bank of the Missouri River.
The right engine was not developing enough power on takeoff, possibly because it had been fitted with plugs that were not recommended by the manufacturer.
» USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present / Joe Baugher
» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 3: August 1944-December 1945 / Anthony J. Mireles
| Status: | |
| Date: | Saturday 15 September 1945 |
| Time: | 00:08 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47B-45-DK (DC-3) |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 45-1011 |
| MSN: | 34277/17014 |
| First flight: | 1945 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 20 / Occupants: 21 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 24 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 1,5 km (0.9 mls) N of Kansas City-Fairfax Field, KS ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Kansas City-Fairfax Field, KS, United States of America |
| Denver-Lowry Field, CO, United States of America |
After takeoff from Fairfax Field (KCK) runway 35, the C-47 barely climbed. Unable to gain height the airplane contacted trees and crashed on the north bank of the Missouri River.
The right engine was not developing enough power on takeoff, possibly because it had been fitted with plugs that were not recommended by the manufacturer.
Sources:
» Military aviation disasters : significant losses since 1908 / D. Gero, 1999» USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present / Joe Baugher
» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 3: August 1944-December 1945 / 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 Kansas City-Fairfax Field, KS to Denver-Lowry Field, CO as the crow flies is 884 km (552 miles).
Distance from Kansas City-Fairfax Field, KS to Denver-Lowry Field, CO as the crow flies is 884 km (552 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.
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Douglas DC-3
- ca 13.000 built
- 2101st loss
- 649th fatal accident
- 31st worst accident (at the time)
- 158th worst accident (currently)
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