1947 — Nov 27, Columbia Air Cargo C-47 AP too-low approach crash, Yakutat, AK —   13

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard 10-11-2023 for upload to: https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–13  Aviation Safety Network. Columbia Air Cargo approach crash Yakutat, AK, 27 Nov 1947.

–13  Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191) 7-17-2011.

–13  Civil Aeronautics Board. AIR. Columbia Air Cargo, Inc. – Yakutat [AK 11-27-1947.]

–13  Liefer. Broken Wings: Tragedy & Disaster in Alaska Civil Aviation. 2003, pp. 95-96.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Douglas R4D-1…12399 (c/n 6065) ex USAAF 43-30634.  To Columbia Air Cargo as NC95486. Crashed into trees Nov 27, 1947        while on approach to Yakutat, Alaska. 13 killed.”  (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191) 7-17-2011.)

Civil Aeronautics Board. Accident Investigation Report:

“The Accident

“At approximately 0317, November 27, 1947, a DC-3 aircraft, NC 95486, owned and operated by Columbia Air Cargo, Inc., crashed one mile east-northeast of the Yakutat Range Station, Yakutat, Alaska. The eleven passengers and the crew of two were killed and the airplane was totally destroyed.

“History of the Flight

“The flight departed from Portland, Oregon, at 0919, November 25, 1947, for Anchorage, Alaska, with a crew consisting of Pilot J. B. Haworth and Copilot Toiro A. Keranen. No difficulty was experienced during the northbound trip until the flight arrived at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. During the attempted landing an engine was heard to overspeed. Power was applied, the airplane took off, and the left propeller was feathered. The flight circled the field for approximately 15 minutes after which the propeller was unfeathered and a normal landing was made. Mr. Haworth requested a repair agency on the field to remove the governor of the left engine. It was disassembled, examined, cleaned, and bench-checked. Nothing was found to indicate that the governor was malfunctioning, so it was again installed on the engine. At this time the left engine oil sump plug was examined, found clear of foreign matter, and the left main oil strainer cleaned. The flight continued to Fairbanks without further trouble, landing at 1738 November 25, 1947.

“At 19:55 November 26, 1947, the flight with the same crew departed from Fairbanks for the return trip to Portland with stops planned at Anchorage and Yakutat. En route to Anchorage severe turbulence and headwinds were encountered. Otherwise this portion of the trip was uneventful. At Anchorage the airplane was serviced with 326 gallons of fuel. Ten gallons of oil were required for the right engine, and this amount plus the fact that considerable oil was noted on the outside of the cowling was called to the attention of Copilot Keranen. Mr. Keranen stated that the engine was due for overhaul upon reaching Portland and that it was all right for the remainder of the return trip. So far as is known a Weight and Balance Computation was not accomplished. However, no freight was aboard the airplane so it may be concluded that the airplane was well within the certificated gross weight.

“The flight departed from Anchorage at 00:20, November 27, 1947, carrying 11 revenue passengers and 600 gallons of fuel. At 02:38 the flight reported that it was over Yakataga, Alaska, at 6,000 feet, and that it was proceeding in accordance with instrument flight rules to Yakutat, estimating arrival there at 03:20. Twenty-eight minutes later at 03:06 the flight called Yakutat Radio, stating that it was leaving the 6,000-foot altitude and making an approach ‘straight in.’ The CAA communicator acknowledged and transmitted the Yakutat weather ‘indefinite ceiling, 500-foot overcast, visibility 3 miles, light drizzle, temperature and dew point 43 degrees, wind from the east-southeast at 10 miles per hour, altimeter setting 30.17.’ Yakutat Radio again called the flight at approximately 03:16, requesting that it report the height of the ceiling when it descended into the clear. This was acknowledged by, ‘Okay Yakutat.’ No further communication was received from the flight. Shortly after the last transmission the airplane was heard to fly at a low altitude over a residence which was located approximately 300 feet south of the CAA Yakutat Radio station, and seconds later the occupants in the residence heard an explosion.

“They immediately notified the CAA communicator that an aircraft had crashed. Upon investigation it was found that the flight had crashed one mile east-northeast of the CAA Yakutat Radio station in a densely wooded area.

“Investigation

“So far as could be determined the first contact was made by the left wing when it struck a 140-foot spruce tree one mile distant and on a bearing of 70 degrees from the CAA Yakutat Radio station. The top of the tree, 10 feet long and five inches in diameter at the point where severed, was found with several wing skin rivets 25 feet from the base of the tree….

“Analysis

“Though complete and detailed maintenance records were not kept by the company, no item of unsatisfactory workmanship or material was found in the aircraft. There is a possibility that the flight experienced failure of the left engine prior to the time of the crash….Apart from this possibility of left engine failure, there was no indication of mechanical or structural failure prior to the time that the airplane struck the spruce tree.

“Even…[if] there had been a failure of the left engine, there should have been little trouble maintaining altitude since the airplane was lightly loaded at the time of the crash. Approximately 3 hours or 1,440 pounds of fuel had been consumed during the trip from Anchorage. No freight was carried, and there were only 11 passengers on board. Thus, it appears that the only explanation for the airplane striking the spruce tree is that it was flown too low during the straight-in approach to the Yakutat Airport, and the damage done to the leading edge and front spar of the left wing showed that the left wing separated from the airplane when it struck the tree….

“Findings

“….3. The flight made a straight-in instrument approach to the Yakutat Airport.

“4. A straight-in approach had not been approved by the Administrator for aircraft approaching Yakutat from the northwest for the reason that a radio facility was not available on the northwest course of the Yakutat range from which a suitable fix could be obtained before descending to a minimum approach altitude of 500 feet….

“Probable Cause

“The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was failure to follow the approved instrument approach procedures while making an initial approach to Yakutat at an altitude insufficient to clear trees along the flight path.”

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database, 1947. Columbia Air Cargo approach crash Yakutat, AK, 27 Nov 1947. Accessed 10-11-2023 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19471127-1

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). July 17, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries2.html

Civil Aeronautics Board. Accident Investigation Report. Columbia Air Cargo, Inc. – Yakutat, Alaska, November 27, 1947. Washington, DC: CAB, 4-21-1949. Accessed 10-11-2023 at: dot_33323_DS1.pdf

Liefer, G. P. Broken Wings: Tragedy & Disaster in Alaska Civil Aviation.  Blaine, WA:  Hancock House, 2003.