Narrative:
The DC-3 departed Edmonton at 11:37 for a flight to Port Radium with refueling stops a Fort Smith and Yellowknife. The aircraft climbed to 9000 feet on a direct route to Fort Smith. At 13:20 the aircraft was about abeam Fort McMurray when it encountered freezing rain. The course was changed to Embarras with the intention of joining the airway and following it as far as Fort Smith. Ice built up rapidly and the aircraft descended to 7000 feet. This altitude could not be maintained, so the crew continued down to 5000 feet, still running through rain squalls. Further altitude was lost and at 4500 feet severe turbulence was encountered. This, together with the accumulation of ice, caused the plane to descend further until it struck trees. The captain closed the throttles and carried out a forced landing.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The aircraft continued its flight into an area of freezing precipitation until the accumulation of ice and severe turbulence resulted in partial loss of control during which the aircraft struck trees."
Loss of control
» ICAO Accident Digest No.9, Circular 56-AN/51 (183-185)
accident date: 04-10-1957
type: Douglas C-47A-30-DK (DC-3C)
registration: CF-DGJ
accident date: 04-10-1957
type: Douglas C-47A-30-DK (DC-3C)
registration: CF-DGJ
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 4 October 1957 |
| Time: | 13:52 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47A-30-DK (DC-3C) |
| Operator: | Eldorado Aviation |
| Registration: | CF-DGJ |
| MSN: | 25454/14009 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 100 km (62.5 mls) NNW of Fort McMurray, AB ( Canada)
|
| Phase: | Unknown (UNK) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Edmonton Municipal Airport, AB (YXD/CYXD), Canada |
| Fort Smith Airport, NT (YSM/CYSM), Canada |
The DC-3 departed Edmonton at 11:37 for a flight to Port Radium with refueling stops a Fort Smith and Yellowknife. The aircraft climbed to 9000 feet on a direct route to Fort Smith. At 13:20 the aircraft was about abeam Fort McMurray when it encountered freezing rain. The course was changed to Embarras with the intention of joining the airway and following it as far as Fort Smith. Ice built up rapidly and the aircraft descended to 7000 feet. This altitude could not be maintained, so the crew continued down to 5000 feet, still running through rain squalls. Further altitude was lost and at 4500 feet severe turbulence was encountered. This, together with the accumulation of ice, caused the plane to descend further until it struck trees. The captain closed the throttles and carried out a forced landing.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The aircraft continued its flight into an area of freezing precipitation until the accumulation of ice and severe turbulence resulted in partial loss of control during which the aircraft struck trees."
Classification:
IcingLoss of control
Sources:
» Douglas DC-3 Production List (Issue no. 28)» ICAO Accident Digest No.9, Circular 56-AN/51 (183-185)
Photos
accident date: 04-10-1957
type: Douglas C-47A-30-DK (DC-3C)
registration: CF-DGJ
accident date: 04-10-1957
type: Douglas C-47A-30-DK (DC-3C)
registration: CF-DGJ
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 Edmonton Municipal Airport, AB to Fort Smith Airport, NT as the crow flies is 718 km (449 miles).
Distance from Edmonton Municipal Airport, AB to Fort Smith Airport, NT as the crow flies is 718 km (449 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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