List of accidents and incidents involving the Douglas DC-6: Difference between revisions

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The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range commercial transport market. More than 700 were built and many still fly today in cargo, military and wildfire control roles.

The DC-6 was known as the C-118 Liftmaster in United States Air Force service and as the R6D Liftmaster in United States Navy service prior to 18 September 1962, after which all U.S. Navy variants were also designated as the C-118 under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system.

Notable accidents and incidents

Like every other major type in long service and operation, accidents and incidents have been recorded that have substantially reduced the numbers flying. The following list is typical of such a record of operational use.

On October 24, 1947, United Airlines Flight 608 crashed near Bryce Canyon, Utah while attempting an emergency landing after an inflight fire broke out, killing all 52 on board.^[1]
On June 17, 1948, United Airlines Flight 624 crashed near Aristes, Pennsylvania after a false fire alarm. All 43 on board were killed.
On July 4, 1948, an SAS DC-6 collided in mid-air with RAF Avro York MW248 over Northwood, London, killing all 39 on board both aircraft.
On November 29, 1949, American Airlines Flight 157 crashed while attempting a three-engine landing in Dallas; 28 people were killed.
On June 30, 1951, United Airlines Flight 610 struck the side of Crystal Mountain, Colorado after the crew deviated from the flight path for reasons unknown, killing all 50 passengers and crew on board.
On August 24, 1951, United Airlines Flight 615 crashed into Tolman Peak and into Dry Gulch Canyon below, 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Oakland, California; all 44 passengers and six crew were killed.
On February 11, 1952, National Airlines Flight 101 (a DC-6, registration N90891) crashed at Newark International Airport after a propeller reversed in flight, killing 29 of 63 on board and four on the ground.
On March 22, 1952, a KLM DC-6 (registration PH-TPJ, named Koningin Juliana) crashed in a forest 7 mi northeast of Frankfurt International Airport, killing 45 of 47 on board.
On February 14, 1953, National Airlines Flight 470 (a DC-6, registration N90893) crashed 20 mi SE off Mobile Point, Alabama after it broke up in severe turbulence from a thunderstorm, killing all 46 passengers and crew on board; the aircraft possibly flew into a waterspout.
On April 20, 1953, Western Air Lines Flight 636 (a DC-6B, registration N91303) crashed in San Francisco Bay due to pilot error, killing eight of 10 on board.
On July 12, 1953, Transocean Air Lines Flight 512 crashed in the Pacific Ocean 344 miles east of Wake Island for reasons unknown, killing all 58 passengers and crew on board.
On October 29, 1953, British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines Flight 304 from Sydney, Nadi (Fiji), Canton Island, and Honolulu crashed in the Santa Cruz Mountains seven miles (11 km) southeast of Half Moon Bay, California, while preparing to land at San Francisco Airport; all 19 on board were killed, including American pianist William Kapell, age 31, who was returning to the United States following a three-month concert tour in Australia.
On January 14, 1954, a Phillippine Airlines DC-6 (registration PI-C294) crashed near Rome due to a loss of control caused by possible turbulence, killing all 16 passengers and crew on board.
On August 23, 1954, a KLM DC-6B (registration PH-DFO, named Willem Bontekoe) crashed in the North Sea 37 km north of the Dutch coast, killing all 21 passengers and crew on board; the cause was not determined, but window failure, autopilot failure, an in flight explosion or an overheating electrical system were suspected.
On December 18, 1954, Linee Aeree Italiane Flight 354 (a DC-6B, registration I-LINE) crashed while attempting to land at Idlewild Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) due to pilot error and fatigue, killing 26 of 32 on board.
On February 13, 1955, a Sabena DC-6 (registration OO-SDB) crashed on Monte Terminillo, near Rieti, Italy; 29 people died, including actress^[2] and 1953 Miss Italia winner Marcella Mariani.
On March 22, 1955, United States Navy R6D-1 Liftmaster 131612 crashed into Pali Kea Peak in the Waianae Range near Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, after the crew made a navigational error, killing all 66 people on board.
On April 4, 1955, a United Airlines DC-6 crashed at MacArthur Airport during a training flight due to pilot error, killing the three crew.
On November 1, 1955, a time bomb exploded aboard United Airlines Flight 629, a DC-6 flying over Longmont, Colorado, killing all 44 people on board. A passenger's son was later tried and convicted of placing the bomb on board.
On October 10, 1956, United States Navy R6D-1 Liftmaster 131588 disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean with 59 on board.
On November 24, 1956, Linee Aeree Italiane Flight 451, a DC-6B (registration I-LEAD) flying from Rome to New York, crashed on climbout at midnight from Orly Airport, Paris, killing 34 of 35 people on board. Captain Attilio Vazzoler, 41, was one of the more experienced pilot of the company with more than 10 thousands hours of flight, and the aircraft was new. The reasons of the disaster remain unknown.
On January 15, 1957, USAF C-118A 53-3263 was destroyed in a hangar fire at McChord AFB along with C-124C Globemaster II 52-1027; a Lockheed T-33 and de Havilland Canada L-20 Beaver were damaged.
On February 1, 1957, Northeast Airlines Flight 823, a DC-6A, crashed due to apparent pilot error onto Rikers Island shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in conditions of poor visibility, killing 20 passengers and injuring many more.
On February 1, 1958, USAF C-118A 53-3277 collided in mid-air with US Navy Lockheed P2V Neptune 127723 over Norwalk, California, killing 47 of 49 on board both aircraft and one person on the ground.
On December 26, 1958, a Union Aéromaritime de Transport DC-6 crashed in Salisbury, Rhodesia^[3]
On January 6, 1960, National Airlines Flight 2511 crashed near Bolivia, North Carolina after a bomb exploded on board, killing all 34 passengers and crew.
On February 25, 1960, United States Navy Douglas R6D-1 (DC-6A) 131582 flying from Buenos Aires-Ezeiza to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Air Force Base collided in mid-air over Guanabara Bay close to the Sugarloaf Mountain with a Real Transportes Aéreos Douglas DC-3 registration PP-AXD operating as Flight 751 from Campos dos Goytacazes to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont. The probable causes of the accident are disputed but include pilot error and faulty equipment. Of the 38 occupants of the American aircraft, three survived. All 26 passengers and crew of the Brazilian aircraft died.^[4]^[5]^[6]
On September 7, 1960, Aerolineas Argentinas Flight 205 (a DC-6, registration LV-ADS) crashed near Salto, Uruguay after the number three propeller separated and struck engine four, causing the aircraft to break up, killing all 31 passengers and crew on board.
On September 13, 1960, World Airways Flight 830 (a DC-6A/B, registration N90779) struck Mount Barrigada near Agana NAS, Guam after the pilot deviated from the departure procedure, killing 80 of 94 on board.
On July 21, 1961, Alaska Airlines Flight 779 crashed on landing at Shemya, Alaska, after the airport failed to turn the landing lights on, killing all six on board.
On July 19, 1961, Aerolineas Argentinas Flight 644 crashed 8 mi west of Pardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina due to severe turbulence (some reports state that the aircraft was struck by lightning), killing all 67 passengers and crew in the worst air disaster in Argentine history and the deadliest for the airline.
On September 10, 1961, a Presidential Airlines DC-6 (registration N90773) crashed shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport, killing all 83 people on board in Ireland's worst air disaster.^[7]
On September 18, 1961, Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations and 15 other passengers and crew died when their DC-6 (owned by Transair Sweden and operated for the UN) crashed near Ndola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).^{[citation needed]} The exact cause of the crash remains contentious with some eyewitnesses reporting a second aircraft shot down the airliner.^{[citation needed]} Other claims go on that Hammarskjöld did crawl out of his seat, and got shot at the side of his forehead.
On March 15, 1963, Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano Flight 915 (a DC-6B, registration CP-707) struck Chachacomani Peak, Peru due to pilot error, killing all 39 passengers and crew on board.
On May 3, 1963, an Air Afrique DC-6B (registration F-BIAO) struck Mount Cameroon due to pilot error, killing all 55 passengers and crew on board.
On October 2, 1964, a Union de Transports Aériens DC-6B (registration F-BHMS) struck Mount Alcazaba, Spain, killing all 80 passengers and crew on board; the cause was never determined.
On February 6, 1965, LAN Chile Flight 107 flew into the side of a mountain near the San José Volcano in Chile. All 87 passengers and crew on board died in the crash.
On April 23, 1965, Aaxico Airlines Flight 1422A (a DC-6A, registration N6541C) struck Mount Rainier due to spatial disorientation, killing the five crew.
On July 8, 1965, Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 suffered an explosion inflight and crashed in a forest in British Columbia, killing all 52 on board.
On February 18, 1966, a Belgian International Air Services DC-6B (registration OO-ABG) crashed while on approach to Malpensa Airport, Italy due to pilot error, killing all four passengers and crew on board.
On January 31, 1967, a Saturn Airways DC-6A (registration N640NA) crashed while on approach to Kelly AFB, Texas, killing the three crew; the cause was never determined.
On February 20, 1967, Sahsa Flight 203, had an accident at Toncontin International Airport because of a reverse system failure, in the forced braking, both back tires caught on fire, the DC-6 overran the runway and caught on fire, killing four passengers.
On March 9, 1968, French Air Force DC-6B 43768 struck a hill near Saint Denis, Reunion due to crew error, killing 16 of 17 on board.
On September 26, 1969, a Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano DC-6B (registration CP-698) struck Count Choquetanga, killing all 74 passengers and crew on board; the wreckage was found three days later.
On December 8, 1969, Olympic Airways Flight 954 crashed near Keratea, 21 miles (34 km) to the southeast of Athens. The aircraft was on a domestic flight from Chania to Athens/Hellenicon in poor weather. All 85 passengers and five crew members were killed in the worst-ever accident involving the DC-6.
On December 22, 1969, an Air Vietnam DC-6B (registration B-2005) overran the runway while landing at Nha Trang Airport following an in-flight explosion, killing 10 of 77 on board and 24 on the ground.
On April 28, 1971, Brazilian Air Force DC-6B FAB-2414 en route from Manaus Air Force Base to Rio de Janeiro had problems with engine vibrations which forced the crew to return to Manaus. On the ground one of the right hand engines burst into flames. The fire spread to the fuselage causing the death of 16 or the 83 occupants.^[8]
On July 24, 1977, a Chilean Air Force DC-6 crashed in a swamp while attempting to land at El Tepual Airport amidst heavy rainfall. All seven crew and 31 of the 75 passengers were killed.
On December 8, 1978, HK-1707X an LAC Colombia DC-6 disappeared over the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy on a cargo flight from El Dorado International Airport, Bogota to Trinidad, Casanare. A crew of three was lost with the aircraft.^[9]
On July 24, 1985, an engine fire occurred on a Colombian Air Force DC-6, which crashed into the jungle, killing all 80 people on board.^{[citation needed]}
On May 1, 1986, an engine fire occurred on a Salvadoran Air Force DC-6 shortly after takeoff. The DC-6 crashed into a mountain, resulting in the deaths of all 37 people on board.^{[citation needed]}
On November 26, 1993, while attempting to land in bad weather, N1597F, Allcair Douglas C-118B with the registration N1597F crashed seven miles off course while attempting to land on the blue ice runway at Patriot Hills airport in Antarctica. There were no fatalities but damage was extensive and the aircraft was written off.^[10]

References

Notes

^ "Major Airline Disasters: Involving Commercial Passenger Airlines 1920–2011". http://www.airdisasters.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
^ "Marcella Mariani" imdb.com. Retrieved: January 22, 2010.
^ ""Date: 26 DEC 1958, Time: 12:52 Type: Douglas DC-6B Operator: Union Aéromaritime de Transport." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: June 17, 2011.
^ "Accident description 131582." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: May 11, 2011.
^ "Accident description PP-AXD." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: September 23, 2011.
^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Torre de Babel". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 182–186. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
^ "GI plane crashes, 80 aboard." Miami News, September 10, 1961, p. 1
^ "Accident description FAB-2414." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: May 12, 2011.
^ Ranter, Harro and Fabian I. Lujan. "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-6A/B HK-1707X Sierra Cucuy." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: June 27, 2011.
^ "Allcair Douglas C-118B Crash." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: August 3, 2013.

Bibliography

Pearcy, Arthur. Douglas Propliners: DC-1–DC-7. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-85310-261-X.
United States Air Force Museum Guidebook. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975.
Whittle, John A. The Douglas DC-6 and DC-7 Series. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1971. No ISBN.
Winchester, Jim, ed. "Douglas DC-6". Civil Aircraft (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-642-1.
Yenne, Bill. McDonnell Douglas: A Tale of Two Giants. Greenwich, Connecticut: Bison Books, 1985. ISBN 0-517-44287-6.

External links

[1] "Major Airline Disasters: Involving Commercial Passenger Airlines 1920–2011". http://www.airdisasters.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)

[2] "Marcella Mariani" imdb.com. Retrieved: January 22, 2010.

[3] ""Date: 26 DEC 1958, Time: 12:52 Type: Douglas DC-6B Operator: Union Aéromaritime de Transport." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: June 17, 2011.

[4] "Accident description 131582." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: May 11, 2011.

[5] "Accident description PP-AXD." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: September 23, 2011.

[6] Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Torre de Babel". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 182–186. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.

[7] "GI plane crashes, 80 aboard." Miami News, September 10, 1961, p. 1

[8] "Accident description FAB-2414." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: May 12, 2011.

[Cocuy-9] Ranter, Harro and Fabian I. Lujan. "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-6A/B HK-1707X Sierra Cucuy." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: June 27, 2011.

[10] "Allcair Douglas C-118B Crash." Aviation Safety Network, 2004. Retrieved: August 3, 2013.

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@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 * On July 19, 1961, [[Aerolineas Argentinas Flight 644]] crashed 8 mi west of Pardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina due to severe turbulence (some reports state that the aircraft was struck by lightning), killing all 67 passengers and crew in the worst air disaster in Argentine history and the deadliest for the airline.
 * On September 10, 1961, a Presidential Airlines DC-6 (registration N90773) crashed shortly after takeoff from [[Shannon Airport]], killing all 83 people on board in Ireland's worst air disaster.<ref>[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8GpVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2z4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=4584,4486140&dq=shannon+airport&hl=en "GI plane crashes, 80 aboard."] ''Miami News'', September 10, 1961, p. 1 </ref>
-* On September 18, 1961, [[Dag Hammarskjöld]], [[Secretary General of the United Nations]] and 15 other passengers and crew died when their DC-6 (owned by Transair Sweden and operated for the UN) crashed near Ndola, [[Northern Rhodesia]] (now [[Zambia]]).{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The exact cause of the crash remains contentious with some eyewitnesses reporting a second aircraft shot down the airliner.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}
+* On September 18, 1961, [[Dag Hammarskjöld]], [[Secretary General of the United Nations]] and 15 other passengers and crew died when their DC-6 (owned by Transair Sweden and operated for the UN) crashed near Ndola, [[Northern Rhodesia]] (now [[Zambia]]).{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The exact cause of the crash remains contentious with some eyewitnesses reporting a second aircraft shot down the airliner.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} Other claims go on that Hammarskjöld did crawl out of his seat, and got shot at the side of his forehead.
 * On March 15, 1963, [[Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano]] Flight 915 (a DC-6B, registration CP-707) struck Chachacomani Peak, Peru due to pilot error, killing all 39 passengers and crew on board.
 * On May 3, 1963, an [[Air Afrique]] DC-6B (registration F-BIAO) struck Mount Cameroon due to pilot error, killing all 55 passengers and crew on board.

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