Narrative:
TWA Flight 47 departed Chicago at 13:12. The DC-3 had just reached its assigned 2000 feet altitude when it collided with a Boeing A75N1 training aircraft (NC51445). The upper right wing of the Boeing was destroyed by the right wing of the airliner and the Boeing fell almost vertically to the ground. Both occupants were killed. Despite extensive damage to the leading edge of its right wing the DC-3 was landed at the Chicago Municipal Airport without further damage and without injury to either occupant.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Upon the basis of the foregoing thy Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was lack of vigilance on the part of the pilots of both aircraft. Reduced horizontal visibility may have been a contributing factor."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 26 September 1945 |
| Time: | 13:17 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-49J (DC-3-454) |
| Operator: | Transcontinental & Western Air - TWA |
| Registration: | NC19939 |
| MSN: | 4992 |
| First flight: | 1942 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8000 |
| Engines: | 2 Wright R-1820-G202A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Collision casualties: | Fatalities: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | 11 km (6.9 mls) SW Chicago-Municipal Airport, IL ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Chicago Municipal Airport, IL (MDW/KMDW), United States of America |
| Kansas City Downtown Municipal Airport, MO (MKC/KMKC), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 47 |
TWA Flight 47 departed Chicago at 13:12. The DC-3 had just reached its assigned 2000 feet altitude when it collided with a Boeing A75N1 training aircraft (NC51445). The upper right wing of the Boeing was destroyed by the right wing of the airliner and the Boeing fell almost vertically to the ground. Both occupants were killed. Despite extensive damage to the leading edge of its right wing the DC-3 was landed at the Chicago Municipal Airport without further damage and without injury to either occupant.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Upon the basis of the foregoing thy Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was lack of vigilance on the part of the pilots of both aircraft. Reduced horizontal visibility may have been a contributing factor."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» CAB File No. 3283-45Photos
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 Chicago Municipal Airport, IL to Kansas City Downtown Municipal Airport, MO as the crow flies is 645 km (403 miles).
Distance from Chicago Municipal Airport, IL to Kansas City Downtown Municipal Airport, MO as the crow flies is 645 km (403 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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