ASN Aircraft accident Douglas R4D-1 (DC-3) N74663 Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR)
ASN logo
 

Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Thursday 8 September 1955
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC3 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Douglas R4D-1 (DC-3)
Operator:Currey Air Transport
Registration: N74663
MSN: 6257
First flight: 1943
Crew:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 30
Total:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 33
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR) (   United States of America)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR/KBUR), United States of America
Destination airport:Oakland Municipal Airport, CA (OAK/KOAK), United States of America
Narrative:
Engine no.2 failed during takeoff, forcing the crew to return to the airport. Emergency landing clearance was given and the DC-3 approached Burbank in an excessive nose-high attitude, not aligned with the runway. Some 500 feet short of the airport boundary, the aircraft struck power lines with the left wing. The plane stalled and crashed into a parked US Air Force Douglas C-54 airplane. The DC-3 then cartwheeled into a hangar.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain's irrevocable commitment to a landing without radio or visual confirmation of his runway alignment following engine failure immediately after takeoff. A contributing factor was engine malfunction immediately after takeoff in near minimum visibility."

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: CAB
Status: Investigation completed
Accident number: final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Collision with pole or wires
Loss of control

Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 50-AN/45 (177-180)
» San Bernardino Sun, 9 September 1955 (p.1)


Photos

photo of Douglas-DC-3-
Flight path.
 

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 Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA to Oakland Municipal Airport, CA as the crow flies is 520 km (325 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: languages

Share

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org