ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-47A-90-DL (DC-3) N3588 Dallas-Love Field, TX (DAL)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Wednesday 18 April 1962
Time:16:25
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC3 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Douglas C-47A-90-DL (DC-3)
Operator:Purdue University
Registration: N3588
MSN: 20178
First flight: 1944
Total airframe hrs:11996
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Crew:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:near Dallas-Love Field, TX (DAL) (   United States of America)
Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:Test
Departure airport:Dallas-Love Field, TX (DAL/KDAL), United States of America
Destination airport:Dallas-Love Field, TX (DAL/KDAL), United States of America
Narrative:
The Vice President, General Manager and Superintendent of Maintenance went to the repair facility to inspect the aircraft following overhaul, installation of new engines and modifications of the DC-3 N3588. The Superintendent of Maintenance decided to test-fly the plane personally (he was not type-rated on the plane and had very limited DC-3 experience) with a technician (who was a rated private pilot) in the right-hand seat. During takeoff, the DC-3 became airborne in an excessively nose-high attitude. The plane continued at a very low airspeed in the nose-high position with the gear down. At an altitude of about 300 feet agl the plane stalled, pitched down, and turned 150deg to the left before striking the ground. The aircraft caught fire after impact.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "1) Pilot failed to maintain flying speed during an improperly executed take-off and take-off climb. 2) Judgement of the pilot in initiating the flight and Vice President and General Manager for approving the flight under existing circumstances"

Classification:
Flightcrew un(der)qualified
Loss of control

Sources:
» NTSB File 1-0009


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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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