Accident Douglas C-54A-1-DO (DC-4) N68736,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 334478
 

Date:Monday 13 May 1957
Time:03:35
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC4 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Douglas C-54A-1-DO (DC-4)
Owner/operator:US Overseas Airlines
Registration: N68736
MSN: 7449
Year of manufacture:1943
Fatalities:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off
Category:Accident
Location:111 km NW of Narsarsuaq -   Greenland
Phase: En route
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Broughton Island Airport, NU (YVM/CYVM)
Destination airport:Narsarsuaq Airport (UAK/BGBW)
Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative:
The C-54 was under contract to transport diesel oil from Narsarsuaq to various DEW Lines sites (Distant Early Warning radar line). The aircraft was prepared for a flight back to Narsarsuaq and departed Site 39 at 00:40 on an instrument flight plan. En route altitude was 11000 feet and after reaching this altitude, the co-pilot changed seats with the reserve captain to complete some paperwork. When the flight passed Frederikshaabs Glacier the co-pilot changed seats again with the reserve captain. While changing seats and starting a check of the cockpit, the aircraft struck the icecap at an altitude of 5900 feet. The aircraft slid for about 4500 feet before coming to rest. The co-pilot was the only survivor. He made a shelter from aircraft debris against the rudder section and had to wait about 12 hours for a rescue team to find him.

Sources:

ICAO Accident Digest No.9, Circular 56-AN/51 (108-114)

Location

Revision history:

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