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3 fatalities

Fatal Mountain Strike During Uranium Survey Flight (C-FSAW)

Manidar, IranFlight

On October 23, 1977, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration C-FSAW) operated by Geoterrex was involved in an aviation accident near Manidar, Iran in flight. 3 people were killed. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A three-occupant aircraft crashed into a mountain during a uranium geo-survey mission after the pilot executed a 180-degree turn in low-visibility conditions, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of all on board.

Mission Context and Accident Sequence of Events (SOE) The aircraft was operating a geo-survey mission focused on uranium exploration when the accident occurred. During the flight, the crew was cruising through a valley and encountered limited visibility caused by low clouds. As the aircraft approached a mountain, the pilot-in-command initiated a 180-degree turn. The aircraft subsequently struck the mountain and crashed. The airplane was destroyed in the impact, and all three occupants were killed. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location is provided in the source material.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Oct 1977 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Manidar, Iran?

A three-occupant aircraft crashed into a mountain during a uranium geo-survey mission after the pilot executed a 180-degree turn in low-visibility conditions, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of all on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Oct 1977 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Oct 1977 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration C-FSAW, operated by Geoterrex, at Manidar, Iran.

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