Date:	Friday 26 January 1945
Time:	15:06
Type:	Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator:	United States Army Air Force - USAAF
Registration:	41-38636
MSN:	4739
Year of manufacture:	1942
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	Birmingham Army Air Base, AL (BHM) -   United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Birmingham Army Air Base, AL (BHM/KBHM)
Destination airport:	Lubbock-South Plains AAF, TX (LBB/KLBB)

Narrative:
A Douglas C-47 transport aircraft was destroyed in a takeoff accident at Birmingham AAB, killing all four on board. The airplane had left Laurinburg-Maxton AAF on a ferry flight, towing two Waco CG-4A gliders. While over Birmingham, the pilot requested to land the two gliders downwind on the takeoff runway. He was advised to use the longer NE-SW runway, but the pilot decided to use the N-S runway. The gliders landed without problems but the C-47 stalled when attempting to take off. It crashed and burst into flames.

Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research (AAIR)
Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 3: August 1944-December 1945 / Anthony J. Mireles

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