1952 — Nov 28, USAF Douglas C-54 aborted approach crash ~McChord AFB/Tacoma, WA–37

–37 Aviation Safety Network. USAF Douglas C-54G crash near Tacoma-McChord AFB, 11-28-1952.
–37 Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 56.
–36 NFPA. “Worst Aircraft Fires of ’52 – North America.” Quarterly, 46/3, Jan 1953, p. 231.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network:
“Date: Friday 28 November 1952
“Time: 00:50
“Type: Douglas C-54G (DC-4)
“Operator: United States Air Force – USAF
“Registration: 45-494
“MSN: 35947
“First flight: 1945
“Crew: Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
“Passengers Fatalities: 30 / Occupants: 32
“Total: Fatalities: 37 / Occupants: 39
“Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
….
“Location: 1.5 km (0.9 mls) N. of Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA…
“Phase: Approach (APR)
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Fairbanks-Fort Wainwright Airport, AK…
“Destination airport: Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA…
“Narrative:

“The C-54 transport plane crashed and burned after impacting trees during an aborted approach to Tacoma-McChord in darkness and dense fog. The crew had decided to abort the approach and divert to Great Falls-Malmstrom AFB.” (Aviation Safety Network. USAF Douglas C-54G crash near Tacoma-McChord AFB, 11-28-1952.)

Gero: “The four-engine aircraft, which was on a MATS flight from Alaska and carrying American servicemen and their dependents, crashed in early morning darkness and conditions of poor visibility, with fog and a low overcast, killing 37 persons aboard. Among the fatalities were the seven members of the crew, all Air Force personnel. Two passengers, including an 8-year-old boy whose family was killed, survived with injuries. After abandoning a ground-controlled approach to land at McChord Air Force Base due to the weather, the pilot announced his intention to proceed to Great Falls, in neighboring Montana, but the aircraft’s No. 3 power plant failed. Subsequently, the C-54 struck trees, slammed into a clearing approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) south-west of the airfield and burst into flames.” (Gero 1999, p. 56.)

National Fire Protection Association: “Nov. 38, near McChord AFB, Wash., United States Air Force; 36 killed; $500,000.

“Thirty-six persons, including seven women and eight children, were killed when a USAF C-54 crashed and burned near Tacoma after giving up an attempted GCA [ground controlled approach] landing at McChord Air Force Base. Some witnesses reported that the aircraft was on fire after striking some trees but before striking the ground. Three occupants survived the crash. The aircraft was a military transport en route from Alaska.” National Fire Protection Association. “Worst Aircraft Fires of ’52 – North America.” Quarterly of the NFPA, Vol. 46, No. 3, Jan 1953, p. 240.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAF Douglas C-54G crash near Tacoma-McChord AFB, 11-28-1952. Accessed 6-3-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19521128-0

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

National Fire Protection Association. “Worst Aircraft Fires of ’52 – North America.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 46, No. 3, January 1953, pp. 231-240.