Narrative:
The DC-3 departed from Denver, Colorado, at 16:02 for Grand Junction, Colorado. Over the route to Grand Junction a check was to be made by the crew of the VHF (Very High Frequency) airway facilities to determine whether they were operating normally. Twenty-two minutes after departure the crew reported at an altitude of 14,500 feet, 500 feet over the top of clouds. The flight also reported that they were experiencing severe turbulence. A few minutes later the DC-3 struck the north northeast side of Navajo Peak approximately 500 feet below the summit, and at an elevation of 12,900 feet (3930 m) above sea level.
On May 23, 1948 the wreckage was located by an Air National Guard pilot.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was an excessive loss of altitude resulting from a downdraft in an area of severe turbulence."
accident date: 21-01-1948
type: Douglas C-47 (DC-3)
registration: NC206
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 21 January 1948 |
| Time: | 16:30 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3) |
| Operator: | Civil Aeronautics Administration |
| Registration: | NC206 |
| MSN: | 4776 |
| First flight: | 1942 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 11 km (6.9 mls) WSW of Ward, CO ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Aerial Work (Calibration, Photo) |
| Departure airport: | Denver (unknown airport), CO, United States of America |
| Grand Junction-Walker Field, CO (GJT/KGJT), United States of America |
The DC-3 departed from Denver, Colorado, at 16:02 for Grand Junction, Colorado. Over the route to Grand Junction a check was to be made by the crew of the VHF (Very High Frequency) airway facilities to determine whether they were operating normally. Twenty-two minutes after departure the crew reported at an altitude of 14,500 feet, 500 feet over the top of clouds. The flight also reported that they were experiencing severe turbulence. A few minutes later the DC-3 struck the north northeast side of Navajo Peak approximately 500 feet below the summit, and at an elevation of 12,900 feet (3930 m) above sea level.
On May 23, 1948 the wreckage was located by an Air National Guard pilot.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was an excessive loss of altitude resulting from a downdraft in an area of severe turbulence."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» CAB File No. 2-0278Photos
accident date: 21-01-1948
type: Douglas C-47 (DC-3)
registration: NC206
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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