Accident description
Last updated: 19 June 2013
Status:
Date:04 FEB 1952
Type:Douglas C-47A-25-DK
Operator:Sabena
Registration: OO-CBN
C/n / msn: 13450
First flight: 1944
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Crew:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:Fatalities: 12 / Occupants: 12
Total:Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16
Airplane damage: Written off
Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:20 km (12.5 mls) from Kikwit (Congo (Democratic Republic))
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Costermansville Airport (BKY/FZMA), Congo (Democratic Republic)
Destination airport:Léopoldville-N'Djili Airport (FIH/FZAA), Congo (Democratic Republic)
Narrative:
A propeller failed in-flight. Debris cut some cables, causing a loss of control.
The C-47 was en route from Costermansville (now Bukavu) to Leopoldville (now Kinshasa).

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The control cables in the fuselage were sheared by the right propeller which had been projected following a shaft failure caused by the sudden stopping of the engine caused by fatigue failure of No. 6 piston lug."

Sources:
» Air Britain Casualty compendium (pt. 53)

Photos
No Photo Available

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 Costermansville Airport to Léopoldville-N'Djili Airport as the crow flies is 1494 km (934 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.
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Douglas DC-3

  • 1772nd loss
  • ca 13.000 built
  • 144th worst accident (at the time)
  • 281st worst accident (currently)
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 Congo (Democratic Republic)
  • 2nd worst accident (at the time)
  • 26th worst accident (currently)
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