Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Fort Benning AFB (Lawson AAF), United States of America, 22 Oct 1943 (42-5677)
On October 22, 1943, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 42-5677) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Benning AFB (Lawson AAF), United States of America in flight. 20 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed that the stall was caused by an inadvertent low speed adopted by the crew during a dropping exercise with paratroopers. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
It is believed that the stall was caused by an inadvertent low speed adopted by the crew during a dropping exercise with paratroopers.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The aircraft was engaged in a training sortie in Fort Benning AFB with 26 paratroopers on board. After several passes over the drop zone, 11 crewmen bailed out. Due to an insufficient airspeed, the aircraft stalled. All 15 paratroopers moved to the rear of the cabin, shifting the center of gravity. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all 20 occupants. Crew: 1st Lt Milton W. Craig, Sgt Robert W. Farmer, 2nd Lt Gerard A. Schafer, Pfc Donald M. Schroeder, Pfc Frank J. Sloboda.
Probable cause (official findings): It is believed that the stall was caused by an inadvertent low speed adopted by the crew during a dropping exercise with paratroopers.