Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Mt Burangrang, Indonesia, 12 Mar 1947 (VHREZ)
On March 12, 1947, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration VHREZ) operated by Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force - ML-KNIL was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Burangrang, Indonesia in flight. 26 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the aircraft drifted off the airway due to strong east winds, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
It was determined that the aircraft drifted off the airway due to strong east winds, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane was completing a flight from Batavia to Bandung, carrying 24 passengers and a crew of two. While descending to Bandung Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds and rain falls. In poor visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Burangrang. The wreckage was found 23 days later and all 26 occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): It was determined that the aircraft drifted off the airway due to strong east winds, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.