Descripción:
The DC-4 aircraft was to be ferried from Düsseldorf to New York with a refueling stop at Reykjavik. The aircraft took off at 07:00. Immediately after becoming airborne the no. 1 engine was cut off and the prop feathered. Then the no. 2 engine was also cut off and the propeller feathered. During this process the flaps were immediately and fully retracted. The aircraft had reached an altitude of 50 m, but dropped sharply, lost altitude and crashed into a residential area. It appeared that the captain of the flight (also Karl Herfurtner's Chief Pilot) had planned to test a pilot on this flight. Witnesses heard by the investigation commission stated that the chief pilot often brought about dangerous situations in flight with a view of emergency drills a.o. On these occasions he would cut off an engine and feather the propeller, frequently even during takeoff and when carrying passengers.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The intentional creation of an emergency situation on takeoff for a long distance flight: first No.1 engine was cut off and its propeller feathered, then No.2 engine was also stopped and its propeller feathered. In addition, the flaps were immediately and fully retracted at low altitude. Such action by the pilot-in-command during takeoff immediately after the aircraft became airborne, with a view to testing a crew member, caused the aircraft to crash. The piloting technique was not consistent with the safety requirements and operating instructions as prescribed by the Directorate of Civil Aviation."
| Estado: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Fecha: | domingo 3 noviembre 1957 |
| Hora: | 07:03 |
| Tipo: |  Douglas C-54A-1-DO (DC-4) |
| Operador: | Karl Herfurtner Düsseldorf |
| Registración: | D-ALAF |
| Numéro de série: | 7459 |
| Año de Construcción: | 1944 |
| Tripulación: | Fatalidades: / Ocupantes: 7 |
| Pasajeros: | Fatalidades: / Ocupantes: 3 |
| Total: | Fatalidades: 6 / Ocupantes: 10 |
| Víctimas en Tierra: | Fatalidades: 1 |
| Daños en la Aeronave: | Anulado |
| Consecuencias: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Ubicación: | 4,5 km (2.8 milles) S of Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) ( Alemania)
|
| Fase: | Ascenso Inicial (ICL) |
| Naturaleza: | Vuelo Internacional No Programado |
| Aeropuerto de Salida: | Düsseldorf Airport (DUS/EDDL), Alemania |
| Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV/BIRK), Islandia |
The DC-4 aircraft was to be ferried from Düsseldorf to New York with a refueling stop at Reykjavik. The aircraft took off at 07:00. Immediately after becoming airborne the no. 1 engine was cut off and the prop feathered. Then the no. 2 engine was also cut off and the propeller feathered. During this process the flaps were immediately and fully retracted. The aircraft had reached an altitude of 50 m, but dropped sharply, lost altitude and crashed into a residential area. It appeared that the captain of the flight (also Karl Herfurtner's Chief Pilot) had planned to test a pilot on this flight. Witnesses heard by the investigation commission stated that the chief pilot often brought about dangerous situations in flight with a view of emergency drills a.o. On these occasions he would cut off an engine and feather the propeller, frequently even during takeoff and when carrying passengers.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The intentional creation of an emergency situation on takeoff for a long distance flight: first No.1 engine was cut off and its propeller feathered, then No.2 engine was also stopped and its propeller feathered. In addition, the flaps were immediately and fully retracted at low altitude. Such action by the pilot-in-command during takeoff immediately after the aircraft became airborne, with a view to testing a crew member, caused the aircraft to crash. The piloting technique was not consistent with the safety requirements and operating instructions as prescribed by the Directorate of Civil Aviation."
Fuentes:
» ICAO Accident Digest No.9, Circular 56-AN/51 (206-210)Fotos
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 Düsseldorf Airport to Reykjavík Domestic Airport as the crow flies is 2175 km (1359 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Düsseldorf Airport to Reykjavík Domestic Airport as the crow flies is 2175 km (1359 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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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