Narrative:
The DC-3 was on a training flight, practicing takeoffs and landings at Martinsburg. Following a single-engine approach to runway 08 the trainee tried to climb out, but the aircraft stalled and crashed into a wooded area.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Following the trainee-pilot's failure to maintain minimum-control speed during an attempted go-around, the instructor-pilot failed to take control of the aircraft in sufficient time to prevent a critical loss of altitude. A contributing factor was the malfunction of the landing gear latch which delayed retraction of the landing gear and caused the distraction of the instructor-pilot for several seconds during a critical period of the go-around."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 4 June 1958 |
| Time: | 13:58 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-53B (DC-3) |
| Operator: | Capital Airlines |
| Registration: | N49553 |
| MSN: | 4820 |
| First flight: | 1941 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Martinsburg Airport, WV (MRB) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Unknown (UNK) |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA/KDCA), United States of America |
| Martinsburg-Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport/Shepherd Field, WV (MRB/KMRB), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | V-3 |
The DC-3 was on a training flight, practicing takeoffs and landings at Martinsburg. Following a single-engine approach to runway 08 the trainee tried to climb out, but the aircraft stalled and crashed into a wooded area.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Following the trainee-pilot's failure to maintain minimum-control speed during an attempted go-around, the instructor-pilot failed to take control of the aircraft in sufficient time to prevent a critical loss of altitude. A contributing factor was the malfunction of the landing gear latch which delayed retraction of the landing gear and caused the distraction of the instructor-pilot for several seconds during a critical period of the go-around."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Distraction in cockpitLoss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 59-AN/54 (155-160)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 Washington-National Airport, DC to Martinsburg-Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport/Shepherd Field, WV as the crow flies is 101 km (63 miles).
Distance from Washington-National Airport, DC to Martinsburg-Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport/Shepherd Field, WV as the crow flies is 101 km (63 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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