Accident description
Last updated: 20 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 24 AUG 1954 |
| Time: | ca 11:00 |
| Type: | Douglas C-47A-20-DK |
| Operator: | Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF |
| Registration: | A65-50 |
| C/n / msn: | 13082 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 4 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | near Canberra, ACT (Australia) |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Canberra Airport, ACT (CBR/YSCB), Australia |
| Sale Airport, VIC (SXE), Australia |
En route to Sale, the starboard engine failed. The plane lost altitude dramatically and was subject to severe turbulence. The pilot attempted a forced landing on an open flat amongst the forested mountains. The Dakota did not make it and contacted some trees. A large eucalypt tree crashed into the cockpit destroying the starboard side. The port wing sheared off and one of the blades of the starboard propeller sliced through the floor of the signaler's compartment.
Sources:
» How a DC3 Came to Rest in the Australian Alps
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 Canberra Airport, ACT to Sale Airport, VIC as the crow flies is 367 km (229 miles).
Distance from Canberra Airport, ACT to Sale Airport, VIC as the crow flies is 367 km (229 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.
