Narrative:
A Douglas DC-3 operated by Victoria Air, was destroyed when it crashed in a warehouse shortly after takeoff from Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), Philippines. The airplane took off from runway 24 at 11:56. The airplane reportedly carried a cargo consisting of six drums of aircraft fuel on a domestic flight to Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). Shortly after takeoff the crew informed the Manila Tower controller that they were returning due to a technical problem. The crew did not declare an emergency. Air traffic control cleared the flight to turn around an land on runway 06. The pilot was not able to maintain altitude and the aircraft crashed some 3,5 km short of runway 06. It came down on an abandoned warehouse and burst into flames.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board determine that the probable causes of this accident were the following:
- Non-procedural application of power during take-off and initial climb that led to left engine malfunction.
- The questionable qualifications of the flight crew.
- Low level of competence of the pilots.
- Not feathering the left engine.
- Turning towards the bad engine.
- Not declaring an emergency.
Loss of control
» Accident report summary
accident date: 17-10-2009
type: Douglas DC-3C (C-47D)
registration: RP-C550
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 17 October 2009 |
| Time: | 12:14 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3C |
| Operator: | Victoria Air |
| Registration: | RP-C550 |
| MSN: | 25737/14292 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | ca 3,5 km SW of Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) ( Philippines)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL), Philippines |
| Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS/RPVP), Philippines |
A Douglas DC-3 operated by Victoria Air, was destroyed when it crashed in a warehouse shortly after takeoff from Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), Philippines. The airplane took off from runway 24 at 11:56. The airplane reportedly carried a cargo consisting of six drums of aircraft fuel on a domestic flight to Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). Shortly after takeoff the crew informed the Manila Tower controller that they were returning due to a technical problem. The crew did not declare an emergency. Air traffic control cleared the flight to turn around an land on runway 06. The pilot was not able to maintain altitude and the aircraft crashed some 3,5 km short of runway 06. It came down on an abandoned warehouse and burst into flames.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board determine that the probable causes of this accident were the following:
- Non-procedural application of power during take-off and initial climb that led to left engine malfunction.
- The questionable qualifications of the flight crew.
- Low level of competence of the pilots.
- Not feathering the left engine.
- Turning towards the bad engine.
- Not declaring an emergency.
Classification:
Flightcrew un(der)qualifiedLoss of control
Sources:
» 4 killed as planes crashes into Las Piñas warehouse (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 17-10-2009)» Accident report summary
Follow-up / safety actions
AAIIB issued 4 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
accident date: 17-10-2009
type: Douglas DC-3C (C-47D)
registration: RP-C550
Aircraft history
| date | registration | operator | remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUG 1944 | 43-48476 | United States Army Air Force - USAAF | delivered |
| 43-48476 | United States Army Air Force - USAAF | converted from C-47B-1-DK to C-47D | |
| 18 SEP 1947 | 43-48476 | United States Air Force - USAF | new name |
| 1949 | 43-48476 | United States Air Force - USAF | converted from C-47D to VC-47D |
| 24 NOV 1952 | United States Air Force - USAF | accident at Washington, DC | |
| FEB 1967 | 43-48476 | United States Air Force - USAF | converted from VC-47D to C-47D |
| MAY 1967 | 348476 | South Vietnam Air Force | delivered |
| 29 MAY 1973 | 348476 | Philippine Air Force | delivered |
| JUL 1984 | RP-C550 | Philair | bought |
| MAY 2001 | RP-C550 | Victoria Air |
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 Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Puerto Princesa Airport as the crow flies is 581 km (363 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Puerto Princesa Airport as the crow flies is 581 km (363 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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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