Narrative:
Takeoff at Karachi was at 08:15. AP-ACE then climbed to 7000 feet, heading for Lahore. Last radio contact was at 11:03. A little later the aircraft was seen descending near Vehari, trailing smoke. The DC-3 disintegrated and crashed in flames.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The omission of a sealing washer on the carburetor fuel filter of the port engine resulting in fuel leaking on to the ignition systems, culminating in a severe oil fire which finally involved the main port fuel tanks. Secondary causes were a generally low standard of maintenance due to lack of tools, spares, adequate lighting, hurried workmanship, and inexperience in lower staff grades. The crew carried out their duty in a disciplined manner and if disintegration had been delayed for a short while longer an emergency landing could have been made."
Loss of control
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 26 November 1948 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47A-15-DK (DC-3) |
| Operator: | Pakistan Airways |
| Registration: | AP-ACE |
| MSN: | 12775 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 21 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Vehari ( Pakistan)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Karachi International Airport (KHI/OPKC), Pakistan |
| Lahore Airport (LHE/OPLA), Pakistan |
Takeoff at Karachi was at 08:15. AP-ACE then climbed to 7000 feet, heading for Lahore. Last radio contact was at 11:03. A little later the aircraft was seen descending near Vehari, trailing smoke. The DC-3 disintegrated and crashed in flames.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The omission of a sealing washer on the carburetor fuel filter of the port engine resulting in fuel leaking on to the ignition systems, culminating in a severe oil fire which finally involved the main port fuel tanks. Secondary causes were a generally low standard of maintenance due to lack of tools, spares, adequate lighting, hurried workmanship, and inexperience in lower staff grades. The crew carried out their duty in a disciplined manner and if disintegration had been delayed for a short while longer an emergency landing could have been made."
Classification:
Loss of control
Photos
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 Karachi International Airport to Lahore Airport as the crow flies is 1015 km (635 miles).
Distance from Karachi International Airport to Lahore Airport as the crow flies is 1015 km (635 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.
languages: 
Pakistan
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Douglas DC-3
- ca 13.000 built
- 2691st loss
- 900th fatal accident
- 80th worst accident (at the time)
- 203rd worst accident (currently)
Pakistan- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 18th worst accident (currently)
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