ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-47A-25-DK (DC-3A) NC53210 Brandywine, MD
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Thursday 6 January 1949
Time:07:20
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC3 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Douglas C-47A-25-DK (DC-3A)
Operator:Coastal Cargo
Registration: NC53210
MSN: 13777
First flight: 1944
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43-90D
Crew:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:Brandywine, MD (   United States of America)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Raleigh/Durham Airport, NC (RDU/KRDU), United States of America
Destination airport:Boston Commonwealth Airport, MA (BOS/KBOS), United States of America
Narrative:
The DC-3 lost control in icing conditions and entered a left spin. The crew managed to regain partial control before entering another left spin. The aircraft then crashed in in a diving left turn. It appeared the pilot probably lost control due to icing. Severe air loads encountered during the spin or attempted recovery caused the failure of both horizontal stabilizer and elevators.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the loss of control of the aircraft which resulted from an icing condition, turbulence, and lack of alertness on the part of the crew. As a result, the aircraft spun, and during the spins, or attempted recovery from the spins, severe airloads were encountered which failed the left horizontal stabilizer and the elevators."

Accident investigation:

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Investigating agency: CAB
Status: Investigation completed
Accident number: final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Icing
Tail failure
Loss of control

Sources:
» CAB File No: 1-0034


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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 Raleigh/Durham Airport, NC to Boston Commonwealth Airport, MA as the crow flies is 978 km (611 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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